Obit of Nolen, Donald E. - Craig County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 30 Jul 2006 Return to Craig County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/craig/craig.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== ::Burckhalter FH--Vinita OK The Grove Sun Daily Donald E. Nolen 1920-2005 VINITA, Okla. - Donald E. Nolen, 84 of Vinita passed away Mon., March 28 at the V.A. Center in Claremore. Don was born on March 29, 1920 in Sapulpa, Okla. to Adker David and Telia Alice (Rogers) Nolen. Don lived in Sapulpa until his family moved to the Roger’s family farm near Van Buren, Ark., while he was still a young boy. It was the Depression era where he dropped out of high school to help support his family. When World War II began Don was in the Arkansas National Guard, and was activated when Pearl Harbor was attacked. The family farm was purchased by the U.S. Government and is now part of Fort Chafe, Ark. Don’s family moved to California but he remained behind and married Elizabeth A. Lodes on Aug. 7, 1943 in Tulsa, prior to his shipment overseas. Don served in the north African and Italian Campaigns with the 36th infantry Division as an Artillery Officer from 1941 through 1945, and was awarded two bronze stars for his service. After the war, Don moved to Vinita where he and Elizabeth operated a dairy for several years. Don purchased a semi truck and trailer in 1963 and hauled sand and rock until his retirement. Don enjoyed his family and spent many hours playing cards and dominoes with his good friends. He was a member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church. Don was also a member and past post commander of the American Legion Dale peace Post #40 of Vinita, and always enjoyed working at the annual Will Rogers Rodeo sponsored by the American Legion. Survivors include six children; Donna B. Riddel of Wichita, Kan., Alice V. Nolen-Walston of Grafton, Ma., Mary M. Rattray, San Diego, Calif., Theresa L. Wadley and husband Don of Afton, Donald J. Nolen and wife Patty of Hartville, Mo., James E. Nolen and wife Debra of Coolin, Idaho. Twenty- seven grandchildren and thirty-one great grandchildren. One brother Lester Nolen of Spokane, Wa. One sister, Anita Pierce of Kermit, Calif. Sister- in-law Kunigunda Lodes and brother-in-law Paul Lodes of Vinita. Don was preceded in death by both of her parents, wife Elizabeth Nolen and one brother, Roger Nolen. The family will gather at Burckhalter Funeral Home on Wednesday evening from 7 to 8:30 p.m. with a Rosary Prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held on Thurs., March 31 at 10 a.m. at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church with Father Alex Kennedy officiating. Arrangement are under the direction of Burckhalter Funeral Home of Vinita. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Craig County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/craig/craig.html