Joy Norton, 87 of Aledo, died Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Mercer Manor, Aledo, with her family at her side. A service celebrating Joy’s life will be held at 12 p.m., Monday, May 18, at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo, with visitation 2 hours prior to services, beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will be in New Boston Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Mercer County Historical Society or the New Boston Ambulance.
Joy Yvonne was born on June 18, 1938, in Galesburg, Illinois, to Eldon and Corrine (Poffenberger) Hammond. She was a graduate of New Boston High School. Joy married Edward Dale Norton on July 4, 1956. He preceded her in death on August 16, 2002.
Joy spent 30 years serving the Rock Island Arsenal in the finance department before retiring. In her retirement she enjoyed playing cards, especially rummy and pitch; sewing; spending time on the river; and dancing. She cherished the time spent with her children and grandchildren. Joy loved to spend time at the Mercer County Historical Society where she could investigate family history and early morning coffee at Gary’s Garage where she could catch up on local history.
Joy is survived by her children and spouses, Tracy and Kathy Norton, Bennett Norton and Teresa Blondell, Colby and Kathy Norton, Nick and Debbie Norton, and Evan and Anne Norton; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; brother & sister-in-law, Herman and Trish Hammond; aunt, Bonita Grooms; nephew, Tom Hammond; and special friends, Danise Taylor and Kenny and Diane Lundeen. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Joe Hammond; companion, Laverne Wherry; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Norton; nephew, Richard Hammond; and a granddaughter in infancy.