Dr. Norton I. Bohon

Dr. Norton Imbler Bohon, DDS, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 16, 2010 in Fort Myers, Florida. A lifetime resident of Kirksville, Dr. Bohon was born to Dr. Samuel and Ethel Bohon (deceased) on August 18, 1918. He attended Kirksville Public Schools and was captain of the KHS basketball team. There he met the love of his life and future wife, Mildred Ellen Tucker (deceased). He was also preceded in death by his brother, Russell Bohon.
Upon graduation from high school, he attended Truman State University, the Kansas City School of Dentistry and then honorably served during WWII as a Captain in the US Army Dental Corps, with the 1279 Combat Engineers in Bougainville and the Philippine Islands. He returned from active duty to begin practicing dentistry in Kirksville with his father, and soon became a dedicated and involved citizen. “Dr. Norton,” or “Doc,” as many called him, served as a deacon of the First Baptist Church, president of the Kirksville School Board, was one of the longest continuous members of Kiwanis, president of the NEMO Antique Car Club, a member of the El Kadir Shrine Club, Saddle Club and Kirksville Country Club, and was involved with numerous local activities and fundraisers. Dr. Bohon volunteered his time and services to the Kirksville nursing homes, and after retirement continued to visit the residents to just chat and keep them company. Always active, he also served as president of the condominium complex where he wintered in Ft. Myers.
Norton was an avid antique auto collector throughout the years, and was an “icon” at local parades, driving his 1930 Rolls Royce limousine, complete with chauffer jacket and cap plus a bottle of Grey Poupon. Many of his acquired autos came to his attention from his patients, and he even retrieved a Model T truck from a corn field and restored it to its original state. He continued to enjoy golfing until his death, and the last time residents of Kirksville saw him, he was probably mowing his lawn on his tractor. He enjoyed life, family and friends, always had a kind and gentle word, and his social network kept him quite busy, even on the last evening of his life.
Norton’s family and friends are deeply saddened by his death, yet profoundly grateful that he passed away with no pain or acute illness, and that they were able to share so many wonderful years and make so many lasting memories with him in his 91.5 years on earth.
Dr. Bohon is survived by son Norton Bohon II and his wife Carolyn, daughters Deborah Kelly and her husband Robert Williams, and Susan Bohon, who was with Norton in Florida when he passed away; granddaughters Ellen Bohon and Molly Kelly and husband William Walsh, grandson Erin Kelly and his wife Sareana, great-grandsons Tucker and Cooper Kelly-Walsh, Alex Kelly, and great-granddaughter Zoe Kelly-Walsh. He is also survived by his brother, Stanley Bohon and wife Doris, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday (March 26, 2010) at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home with Reverend Marty Joplin officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hills Cemetery in Kirksville.
Visitation with the family will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Thursday at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, 2100 E. Shepherd Ave., Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233
In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor him through a memorial contribution may consider the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society or charity of donor’s choice and may be sent to or left at the funeral home.