Claude Nolen

Claude Harlen Nolen age 101, passed away Monday, January 28, 2019 at the home of his daughter Sandra in Fishers, IN. Claude was born Harlen Claude Nolen on October 9, 1917 in Livingston, Tennessee to the late Sarah Etta (Franklin) and Robert Lee Nolen. His grandparents were Varina Jane (Gore) and Isaac Thomas Nolen, and Mary Belle (Crabtree) and John L. "Tex" Franklin. Claude was married to his beloved wife, Mildred Lorraine (Hogue) Nolen for 73 years. They were married on February 25, 1940 until she passed away, March 28, 2013. Claude is survived by a son Bruce (Kathy) Nolen, daughter Sandra (Ron, Sr.) Ferrell; grandchildren: Ron (Melissa) Ferrell Jr., Christopher Ferrell, Stacy (Ross) Laymon, Justin (Kate) Nolen; great-grandchildren: Nicholas and Zachary Ferrell, Joshua and Makayla Ferrell, Jacob Nolen, and Elliott Laymon; a half-sister Bobbie Jo (Jim) Sells; beloved niece Patricia (John) Stephens and many friends and family. He was preceded in death by two brothers: Oscar Dalton Nolen and Thurman Kenneth Nolen; sister Winona Dean (Nolen) Goodpasture; two half-brothers: Chalmer Nolan and Ronald Nolen, and a half-sister Joyce (Nolen) Loftis Young. Claude loved his wife and family more than anything. He and Lorraine traveled frequently to Tennessee to visit family as often as they could. Their first vacation together was to the Smoky Mountains. They liked to travel to the ocean as well, especially Clearwater Beach. Together, they visited the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, TN, Branson, MO, Nashville, IN, Canada, Niagara Falls, and west California to visit family. They also crossed the desert where they made a stop at the Grand Canyon. Claude kept receipts from all of the motels and places that they had visited so he could remember everywhere that they had been together. Claude loved to play guitars, especially his Dobro. He read the Bible daily for many years, along with singing hymns. He loved to pray and prayed beautifully. His family would describe him as a Christian, hardworking, generous, proud, and strong man. He was a members of the Church of Christ for over 50 years and attended the Church of Christ in Fishers, Indiana until advanced age made attendance difficult. After 25 years of service, Claude retired from the Chrysler Corporation in 1986. In 1981, he began his studies of Taekwondo for self-defense and maintaining good health. He earned his first-degree black belt when he was 76 years old and began teaching Taekwondo classes. He was a World War II veteran serving in the Army. Inducted February 1, 1945 at Ft. Oglethhorpe, GA, and was honorably discharged October 21, 1946. Claude served as a surgical technician in the Asiatic Pacific Theater of Operations with the Medical Detachment 511th Parachute Infantry 11th Air Born Division. He received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Army of Occupation Medal Japan. To help the family celebrate his life, you are invited to share during the Life Celebration Visitation at Conner & Koch Life Celebration Home, 92 W Franklin St, Bellbrook, OH 45305 on Monday, February 4th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Life Celebration Services will be held Tuesday, February 5th, 2019 at 11 am at Conner & Koch Life Celebration Home, with burial to follow at Miami Valley Memory Gardens, 1639 E Lytle 5 Points Rd, Centerville, OH 45458. You are welcome to send a condolence, plant a tree, or share memories about Claude at www.ConnerAndKoch.com by clicking on his name.

Claude Nolen

October 9, 1917 - January 28, 2019