Norman Christopher Barth

Norm C. Barth, 65, of Houghton Lake passed away unexpectedly on Saturday August 2, 2025 at his home. 

Norm was born the second child to parents Norman K. and Lenore C. (Smith) Barth on April 16, 1960 in Cadillac. Norm lived in the Houghton Lake area most of his adult life, graduating from Houghton Lake High School in 1980. During high school, Norm attended mechanical and electronic classes at Kirtland Community College. After graduating high school, he attended Henry Ford Community College and learned that big town life was not for him. He worked at numerous jobs in town ranging from gas stations, auto body, machining, auto parts, and auto repair businesses.

In 1988, Norm met the love of his life at a fitness center in Grayling. Norm and Deanna were married in an outdoor service at her parents home in Graying in 1993. The couple resided in Houghton Lake, built their dream log home and raised 3 amazing children, Jessica (Raymond) Brady of Saginaw, Norman M.(Haleigh Foster) and Logan (Rileigh Rogers) both of Houghton Lake. In 2021, Norm became a grandfather to Anthony and DJ. Being a grandfather was his calling. Norm was preceded in death by his parents and older sister Linda. 

From a young age Norm could fix anything. His quest for knowledge started by his mom giving him an old vacuum cleaner to tear apart. As Norm grew, his interests moved to cars. He acquired his master mechanic certification and began collecting all the tools needed for the trade; it was hard to find a tool he did not own. After spending 8 years repairing buses at the Roscommon County Transit, Norm switched his career path to truck driving but always continued to repair and maintain his own cars and trucks and everything else Deanna would break around the house. Never throw away anything was his motto, it can be repaired or repurposed. Norm drove for LIpari Foods for a while and built the family log home, long days at work and even longer days building a dream home. In 2002, Norm started working for the Crawford County Road Commission as a mechanic then transitioning to truck driver. He stayed in that position until his retirement in 2018. After retirement he focused his energy on his home and family, he kept busy fixing all the things; from cook stoves, furnaces, leaky faucets, antique tractors, cars, trucks, campers and lawn mowers. There was not a mechanical issue Norm could not figure out.

By far Norm’s favorite place in the world was Reedsburg Dam as a kid. Norm proposed marriage to Deanna on one knee in the middle of the dam walkway. Over the years the family camped countless times and made special memories each visit. 

Cremation has taken place and the family would like to celebrate his life at Reedsburg Dam on Saturday Aug 23, 2025 with a picnic at 1:00. Christler Funeral Home, Houghton Lake Chapel is serving the family. Condolences can be sent to the family online at www.christler-holdship.com

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