Willard Lowell Nolan

Willard Lowell Nolan, 74, of rural Venedocia, passed away very suddenly at 2:24 p.m. Friday, August 10, 2012.

He was born August 9, 1938, in Union Township, Mercer County, the son of the late Willard L. and Edith (Swygart) Nolan. On April 7, 1961, he married Florence R. (Robey) Nolan, who survives, along with four children, Patty L. Lassiter of Van Wert, Nancy S. (Jim) Wilcox of Haviland, Jeff L. (Julie) Nolan of Monroeville, Ind., and Lisa K. Nolan of Van Wert.

Additional survivors include eight grand-children, Amanda (Steve) High, Ashley (Mike) Bremer, Matthew Ross, Brittany (Bryce) Sinn, Adam Lassiter, Bradley “BJ” Wilcox and Brooke Wilcox and Elizabeth Lassiter; six great-grandchildren, Alexis, Emily, Michael, Breanna, Brooklyn and Madison; a brother, R. Byron (Jeannine) Nolan of Van Wert; one sister, Sue King of Gordonsville, Tenn.; two brothers-in-law, John Robey Jr. of Van Wert and David Robey of Michigan; and five sisters-in-law, Dorothy Shaffer of Spencerville, Mary (Raymond) Young of Venedocia, Carol (Darrel) Bowers of Lima, Nancy Robey of Spencerville and Daomi Robey of Van Wert.

An infant daughter, Melody A. Nolan; and six brothers-in-law, Wallace King, Rex Shaffer, and Franklin, William, Richard and Donald Robey, also preceded him in death.

Mr. Nolan attended York School and served in the U.S. Army. He retired in 2003 from Federal-Mogul Corporation in Van Wert with 37 years of service. He was an active member of Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert, where he was a timekeeper for the church’s Upward Basketball program and served as an usher, as well as mowing the lawn. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and attending their activities. He enjoyed mowing several yards, collecting antique Allis Chalmers tractors and going to farm shows and Farm Focus. He loved his golden retriever, Molly.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday, August 16, at Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert, with Pastors Steve Savage and Neil Hammons officiating. Burial will follow in Tomlinson Cemetery, with military rites performed by the Spencerville Veterans of Foreign Wars post.

Calling hours are from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, August 15, at Trinity Friends Church.

Preferred memorials: Trinity Friends Church or a charity of donor’s choice.

Arrangements are being handled by Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville.