Donald Leroy Norviel, II

Mr. Donald Leroy Norviel, II age 67 of DeFuniak Springs passed away Thursday, February 2, 2012 at the family residence. . He was born July 2, 1944 in Highland Park, Michigan the son of Donald Leroy Norviel, Sr. and Anita Evelyn Townsend Norviel. After a tour of duty with the United States Navy, Don became a firefighter, working thirty years with the Fort Walton Beach Fire Department where he served as President of the Fire Fighter's Union, an organization he helped form in Fort Walton Beach and in other fire departments throughout Northwest Florida. He was an avid Pro-Life Activist, a cause he felt very deeply about. In 2005 after retirement he and his wife moved to the DeFuniak Springs area because of his love of the outdoors. He loved hunting and fishing with his sons-in-law and had a great love for animals, raising horses and donkeys, goats and any other critters that just happened up. Don was a member of Saint Margaret Catholic Church. He is predeceased by his son Clinton Eugene Cox.

Among survivors are his wife Martha Norviel, his daughters, Marlanea Freiberger and husband Jeremy of DeFuniak Springs, Roxanne Lyn Benefield and husband Tim or Tuscumbi, North Carolina, Shanon Lea Higginbotham and husband Cecil of Jacksonville North Carolina. His grandchildren, Robbie, Logan, Danika, Emily, Cassidy, Carson, Amelia, Janay, Cecil and Brodie. His sisters, Janie Stone and husband Ben and Betty Hilton. His sisters-in-law Wauhilla Fee and Waunell Harris and husband Bob. His brother in law Marlin Noles and wife Diane also survive.

The family will receive friends Sunday, February 5, 2012 from 2 until 5 P.M. in Saint Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church, 331 U.S. Highway 331 North, DeFuniak Springs, Florida with a Celebration of Divine Mercy beginning at 3 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, February 6, 2012 at 10 A.M. in Saint Mary's Catholic Church, Fort Walton Beach, Florida with Reverend Rick Dawson officiating. Fort Walton Beach Fire Department Honor Guard will conduct full fire fighter rites.