James "Jim" Nolan's Obituary
James B. "Jim" Nolan, age 89, of Ashmore, Illinois, passed away Saturday, September 21, 2024, surrounded by his family, at Willow Breeze Hospice House in Mattoon, Illinois.
James was born November 08, 1934 in rural Oakland, Illinois, a son of Herbert B. and Ruth L. (Arnold) Nolan. He grew up on the family farm in Kansas, IL. He attended Kansas High School and was voted Class President and Homecoming King. He graduated from Kansas High School in 1952. In 1954 he joined the US Army, serving in Germany as a Machinist. He returned home in late 1957 and farmed with his father in Kansas, Illinois. He married the love of his life, Shirley S. Newlin-Ingram on December 13, 1958 in Brocton, IL, and together they started their family. Jim grain farmed and raised hogs and in 1964 he started working at Eastern Illinois University as supplemental employment to the farm. He retired from Eastern Illinois University in 1994 but continued to farm until early 2000. Jim loved working on his farm and even after retiring from the day-to-day operation of the farm he loved working with his Kubota tractor around the farm. Jim was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Charleston, Illinois, and a member of Coles County Farm Bureau.
He is survived by his wife Shirley S. Nolan of Ashmore, IL; two daughters, Carol A. Nolan of Ashmore, IL and Sheryl L. (Mike) Donley of Charleston, IL; two grandchildren, Michael (Hilary) Donley and Katerina Nolan (Significant Other Trace Elliott); three great-grandchildren, Kayla Donley, Kaden Donley, and Karlee Donley; and one brother-in-law, Frank Carroll of Chrisman, IL. He is preceded in death by one daughter, Diana Nolan; two grandchildren, Michael Lynn Donley and Shayla McKay Donley; his parents, Herbert B. and Ruth L. Nolan; and one sister, Barbara A. Carroll.
Graveside services will be held Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 2:00 PM at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Paris, Illinois with burial to follow. Father Michael Berndt from St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Willow Breeze Hospice House, 1004 Health Center Drive Suite 202, Mattoon, IL 61938, or St. Mary's Cemetery, 121 Stiedl Road, Paris, IL 61944.
For more information, to send condolences, light a candle, or share photos, please visit www.adamsfuneralchapel.com. Adams Funeral Chapel of Charleston, IL, is handling the arrangements.
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