James Nolan Sr.

COLUMBIA CITY - James Allen Nolan Sr., 92, formerly of Columbia City, Indiana, died peacefully at 8:23 p.m., on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. He had been a resident of Evergreen Village Assisted Living, Fort Wayne.

Born on Aug. 15, 1933, in Dayton, Ohio, he was a son of the late Nicholas F. and Kathleen (Ferneding) Nolan.  

Growing up in Dayton, he completed Corpus Christi Elementary School and graduated from Chaminade High School in 1951. Accepted at the University of Notre Dame, he began his college education there, then transferred to the University of Dayton.

On January 13, 1955, he was inducted into the U.S. Army.  Joining the 91st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, he was deployed to Germany.  He was honorably discharged on December 23, 1956.

On July 18, 1959, he married Marjorie Gehle, beginning a family, raising six children. They made their first homes in and around the Dayton and Columbus, Ohio, area, then moved to Leo, Indiana, and finally settled on a farm in the Columbia City area. They loved hosting their growing family at their farm and traveling to visit them. Their passion for kids extended to others, including volunteering with Big Brothers and CASA. Majorie died on Dec. 18, 2001.

In the mid-'70s, Jim was the manager for the Imperial House Hotel in Fort Wayne. After obtaining an insurance license, Jim became an agent for Farm Bureau Insurance, working in Fort Wayne and then for 21 years in Columbia City.  

On Dec. 29, 2004, he married Carol (Becker) Rethlake Porter. They made their homes in the Columbia City area. Carol died on Nov. 15, 2021.

Full of life, Jim was always good-humored and quick with a joke. He enjoyed playing golf, watching Notre Dame Football, and his beloved Cincinnati Reds baseball. In his senior years, he relaxed in the outdoors with a good cigar and a nice glass of aged bourbon.

Surviving are his children, James A. (Annette) Nolan Jr., of Beverly Shores, Ann (Michael) Moore, of LaOtto, Jennifer Nolan, of Fort Wayne, Mary (Chris) Cartwright, of Fayetteville, Georgia, Amy (James) Sholtis, of Cadyville, New York, and Henry (Kris) Nolan, of Zionsville; grandchildren, Nicole Nolan, Matthew Nolan, Peter Nolan, Aubrey Matis, Landon Moore, Erin Erck, Morgan Sholtis, Erin Sholtis, Lauren Withers, Bailey Cartwright, Sydney Abarno, Madeline Nolan and Luke Nolan; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Additionally, Jim was preceded in death by brothers Nicholas, William, Larry, and Robert Nolan; sisters Mary Kriemeier, Margaret Kinzeler, and Ann Zwiesler; a granddaughter, Sarah Trumbull; and a great-grandson, Ledger Moore.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m., on Monday, Oct. 2, 2025, at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, 315 S. Line St., Columbia City.

Visitation is from 2-5 p.m., on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Northeast Indiana, in Jim's honor.

Condolences may be sent to www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com.