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BORN
1942
DIED
2023
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John Nolander Obituary
He was born on January 30, 1942 in Coeur d'Alene, ID, a son of Edward M. and Maureen (DeGraff) Nolander and graduated high school in Lewiston, ID before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. After basic training, he attended intensive language programs in Russian, Thai and Vietnamese. He was assigned to an aerial reconnaissance unit in Okinawa, Japan where he spent over three years flying combat missions in RC-135 and EC-130 aircraft accruing more than 150 combat missions. He then returned to the States and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. After graduating from the College of Artesia, he returned to Okinawa to continue flying combat missions as an Airborne Mission Supervisor. Serving 22 years and retiring as a Captain, John flew more than 4,000 hours of combat and combat support missions earning 15 Air Medals and 13 stars on his Vietnam campaign ribbon. On July 16, 1965, he was united in marriage to Mary Crandall in Pacific Grove, California and shared a 57-year blessed union.
An outdoorsman and an avid big game hunter, John traveled to the Midwest for five once-in-a-lifetime elk hunts. He volunteered as a SCORE mentor helping entrepreneurs with start-up business planning. As an associate with the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation programs he facilitated outdoors adventures for Purple Heart medal recipients.
He is survived by his loving wife Mary; daughter Janice (Christopher Burtch) Nolander, Oriskany; son Eric Nolander, Utica; grandson Kenneth Burtch and his partner Kaylee Greene, Oswego; sisters Patricia (Gene) Sargent, Metaline, WA and Coleen (Stephen) Brandon, Spokane, WA; and a brother E. Michael Nolander, Spokane, WA.
John's family wishes to extend their gratitude to steadfast friends Jim Doolittle, Bill Moore, Kingsley Karbari and Bill W. for all their loving care and support.
Graveside services will be held Friday, (May 12) at 1 p.m. with full military honors and interment in Warrensburg Cemetery, Warrensburg, N.Y.
The Nolander family requests remembrances be made in John's name to Wounded Warriors in Action, 206 Apollo Beach Blvd., Apollo Beach, FL 33572.
Arrangements are with Dimbleby Funeral Homes, Inc., 40 Main St., Whitesboro.
Online tributes at www.dimblebyfh.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Nolander
Sponsored by Dimbleby Funeral Homes, Inc. - Whitesboro.
Joe Shepherd
December 18, 2024
John was my roommate and best friend at Syracuse Univ. for Intermediate Russian. After I proposed to my (still) wife, I asked John to be my Best Man. He said that he couldn't because he was marrying his Mary that same day!
Hank Whitney
March 23, 2023
I too was one of those who went from enlisted man to an old 2nd Lieutenant. John and I were at Goodfellow AFB at the same time in 1972 for intelligence officer training. I am pretty sure his softball team whipped ours pretty good. John was a real professional and very good at his job; he will be missed.
Peg Bratge
March 22, 2023
My sincere sympathy to John´s family at his passing. My husband John worked for him until his death in 2004. Your husband/father initiated a team that was responsible for raising thousands of dollars for Relay for Life. I will forever be appreciative for his efforts and the cancer sufferers who benefited from the money raised.
May John Rest In Peace and may you, his family be comforted by the memories of the good life he lived.
Sincerely, Peg Bratge
Edward Iwanski
March 22, 2023
My condolences to John´s family from a fellow flier.
Keith and Robin
March 22, 2023
Our deepest sympathy to all of John´s family. I will miss my friend deeply. From traveling to Colorado for an elk hunt to sitting in a frozen corn field in 10 degree weather waiting for some geese to land. John was an amazing person and I am blessed that he was my friend. Rest in peace John
Joe Shepherd
March 22, 2023
John was my roommate at Syracuse U. in '64-'65. He was supposed to be my Best Man but decided to wed his Mary the same day I married Linda. And we served together many more years. Rest in peace, Brother.
Bill Schroeder
March 22, 2023
Remember flying in the Gulf with John when he was a Lt. I know he will be missed.
Glenda Hillard
March 22, 2023
My deepest sympathy at the loss of a very special person. He was a great friend to my husband Jim Hillard who served with him in the 6990th on Okinawa
Rick Falcone
March 22, 2023
My deepest sympathies to John´s family.. He was a great man and a cherished friend .. he will be greatly missed but never forgotten !! I enjoyed every minute I spent with John at the Wounded Warriors In Action pheasant hunts ! Rest in peace my friend !!
Ron Kriegel
March 22, 2023
RIP, Silent Warrior, and sincere condolences to family!
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Funeral services provided by:
Dimbleby Funeral Homes, Inc. - Whitesboro40 Main Street, Whitesboro, NY 13492
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