Michael Dale Norval

Michael Dale Norval 59, stepped out of his earthly body and into eternity at 3:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, with his beloved wife, Lori, by his side.

Mike was born on April 10, 1962 in El Dorado Springs to Roy and Jean Norval. He was raised in rural St. Clair and Cedar counties where he attended Riverview Bible Church and was baptized in the nearby Sac River by the Reverend Rob Criswell. His experience in the one-room schoolhouse and church left an indelible impression on him, even as he grew into adulthood and moved south into Branson and Strafford.

When he was 25, Mike met and married the love of his life, Lori Althiser, and together they took on many projects, building a home from the ground up and faithfully serving in youth ministry together at Bethel Fellowship.

Mike was a gifted painter and draftsman, trained at McPherson College and SMSU, and his love of art and attention to detail were evident in his handiwork. Mike worked as a graphic artist, and then a computer technician, for many years at the Springfield News-Leader, where the seeds of his pastoral calling were planted and he touched the lives of those with whom he worked. He founded the Comet Central Car Club in 2003, and built friendships with members all over the country who shared his love of classic Mercury Comets.

Following the untimely loss of his mother to cancer, Mike’s calling to pastoral leadership was amplified, and he and Lori moved back home to care for his father and other aging family members. He loved to grill and create healthy, organic dishes and hosted many family and church gatherings at the beautiful house that he designed and built high on a hill near his childhood home.

During this time, Mike began to formally study theology and was ordained to ministry at Riverview Bible Church on Oct. 14, 2007, where he served faithfully until he was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in February 2021. Mike stated that whether he lived or died, his ultimate desire was that he would live out his faith in obedience and confidence and serve as a witness to those around him, particularly to his nephews. The Lord heard and blessed Mike’s faithfulness, and throughout his struggle, his leadership, faith and deep devotion to Jesus Christ were evident as he witnessed and ministered to those around him, whether in the hospital emergency room, the rehab facility or the grocery store.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Jean Norval.

He leaves behind a large community of people who mourn his earthly absence but rejoice in his heavenly gain and anticipate reuniting again including: wife, Lori, previously – El Dorado Springs, recently of Forsyth; sister, Susan; and brother-in-law, Bellos Nisan – Turlock, CA, their children, Sabrina, Ashur, Evin and Michael Nisan; brother and lifelong best friend, Ed; sister-in-law, Shari Norval, – Battlefield, their children, Amy and Josh Yang, Skyler and Aaron Norval; many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and friends.

Services will begin at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at Bethel Fellowship, Strafford (live streaming will be available), and at 3 p.m. at Sheldon Funeral Home, El Dorado Springs. A memorial dinner will follow in Bolivar at 5:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Mike’s honor be given to Bethel Fellowship in Strafford, or Riverview Bible Church in St. Clair County, in care of church treasurer Doris Norval at 5715 SW 1001 Rd, El Dorado Springs, MO, 64744 or sent to Sheldon Funeral Home, P.O. Box 408, 2111 South 32 Hwy, El Dorado Springs, MO 64744.