Walter Lester Norman

Stanley Funeral Home is assisting the Family

Obituary via Stanley Funeral Home

Walter Lester Norman of Dry Ridge, Kentucky passed away on Sunday, August 6th 2023 at the Margret J. Thomas Hospice of Cincinnati Care Center in Blue Ash, Ohio. He was born on Sunday, January 2nd, 1944 in Elizabeth, New Jersey to the late Lester and Evelyn Norman. In addition to his parents, Walter is preceded in death by his two sisters: Isabelle Mikolajczak and Jeanie; as well as his late wife Eva.

Walter was a 1962 graduate of Port Richmond High School located on the North Shore of Staten Island, New York. After graduating, Walter bravely served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War Campaign; of which he spent more than 11 months overseas. For his service he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; we greatly thank him for his service to us and our country. Following his time in the military, Walter attended trade school in New York, becoming a licensed Boiler Operator and Steam Engineer. On Saturday, May 16th, 1970 Walter married Lillian Facciola; in September of 1975 the two had their son, Scott, and were married for 20 years. 

With his license and expertise in the field, Walter eventually made his way to Cincinnati, finding employment with Procter and Gamble where he worked for over 20 years and eventually retired from. On an evening in 1992, Walter attended a “Singles Dance Club” meet in Hyde Park, Cincinnati where he would meet his future wife, Eva. Though both him and his Soon-To-Be Love came to the soiree with dates of their own, it was the two of them that ended up leaving together, and the rest is history. On Saturday, July 8th, 1995, Walter married Ms. Eva Szoke; the two of them were married for over 16 years until Eva’s passing in February of 2012.

After that first evening at the singles dance, Walter and Eva were inseparable, doing everything together in life. They were members of the Cincinnati Railroad Club; they took cross country train excursions together and attended train shows all over the United States. Every cent of money they ever made at train shows went towards the foundation they and their family formed- Buckeye Farm, Inc. What started as a cat rescue, Buckeye Farm has blossomed into an incredibly successful non-profit, no-kill shelter that has rescued and saved hundreds of animals throughout the years.

Walter is survived by his son Scott Norman of Harrison, OH; his two step-sons Jay and Scott Braunstein of Cincinnati, OH; as well as his step-daughter, Michele (Will) Hamann of Louisville, KY; and a close personal niece, Blanche, of Staten Island, NY. He leaves a legacy of his treasured Granddaughters, Leah Norman and Ella Norman, and Step-Grandchildren Destiny and Conner Braunstein.

Walter will be laid to rest alongside his beloved Eva, on Thursday afternoon, August 17th, 2023 at Arlington Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Cincinnati, OH. Services will be private for the family. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Buckeye Farm, Inc., 805 Lemon-Northcutt Rd. Dry Ridge, KY 41035.