Norton D. Schramm

The Thumb area lost a 50-year mainstay of high school sports when Nort Schramm passed away unexpectedly at home on Saturday, February 22, 2025.

Norton Douglas Schramm was born on June 23, 1943, in Hart, Michigan, to the late Florence and Frank Schramm.

After graduating from Hart High School in 1961, Norton attended MSU where he met his wife of 59 years, Linda. Following their college graduation and marriage, Nort and Linda spent a year teaching in Quincy, Michigan, before relocating to the Thumb in 1967 when Norton accepted his career making position in Deckerville as a phys ed teacher and athletic coach. After stints with both boys’ football and baseball, Norton took over the girls’ varsity basketball program where he remained head coach for the next 25 seasons and was recognized by the state for achieving over 300 wins and reaching the state semi-finals in 1984. He furthered his involvement in area high school athletics as sports director for local radio station WMIC for 30 years and was known as the ‘Voice of the Thumb’ for broadcasting local high school games and hosting SportsLine, the still running Saturday morning radio program which he created in 1975. Nort returned to Deckerville High school as athletic director for another 12 years after retiring as a teacher and coach until he took over as director of the Greater Thumb Conference in 2004, where he remained until retiring after the 2023-24 school year.

Norton spent his summer breaks fly fishing and golfing with his brothers and coaching Little League for all 3 of his children until his battered knees relegated him to armchair commentator for his beloved Detroit Tigers. During his 59 years as a Sanilac County resident, Norton served his community in a myriad of roles: as a long time, member and secretary for the Sandusky United Methodist Men’s group, SAVE Child Abuse Council member, Sanilac County Commissioner and for the last 10 years, a Sandusky City Council member and Sandusky Airport Board chairperson.

Norton was preceded in death by his parents, Florence (Morse) and Frank Schramm and his brother Jim (Dorothy) Schramm. He is survived by His wife, Linda (Rinn) Schramm; children- Thomas (Bernice) Schramm, daughters Tammy King and Trinna Schramm; grandchildren- Jacob (Sarah) Stark, Rachel Schramm, Dylan King, Bryce King; great grandchildren- Andrew, Maggie, Josh and Charlotte; brother Frank (Pat) Schramm, sister Mary (Scott) Wright, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Norton will take place at Apsey Funeral Home in Deckerville on Friday, February 28th, from 2-8pm and on Saturday, March 1st, from 11-1pm at Sandusky First United Methodist Church with a 1pm service and luncheon to follow. The burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Rev. Lisa Clark officiating.

Memorial contributions can be made to Sandusky First United Methodist Church or United Hospice of Marlette.

Condolences may be sent online to apseyfuneralhome.net.