Elvis Nolen, 86, departed this life 8 p.m. Friday, April 6, 2012, at his home in West City, surrounded by his family.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, at Varis-Stone Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Glenn Poshard officiating. Interment will be in Masonic & Odd Fellows Cementery at Benton. Friends of Elvis Nolen family may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Masonic Funeral Rites will be conducted at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Graveside military rites will be conducted by Orient American Legion, Zeigler American Legion, West Frankfort VFW, and by members of the U. S. Navy Department.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children and will be accepted at the funeral home at any time.
Elvis was born Feb. 18, 1926, in West Frankfort, the son of Oren and Genieve (DePriest) Nolen. He married Dorothy Bearden Reed on May 25, 1984, at the Third Baptist Church of West Frankfort.
He was a Navy veteran of World War II in the Pacific Campaign.
He began his career as a school teacher after graduating from Southern Illinois University and the University of Illinois. He was the Regional Superintendant of Schools for Franklin County for many years.
After retiring, he operated Budman's Hydraulic for his aunt Bernice Murphy, and was assisted by shop foreman and friend Jay Coleman.
He was of the Protestant faith.
He also belonged to the following organizations:?58-year member Masonic Lodge 802 in Carterville, Ainad Shriners Temple of East St. Louis, Franklin County Shrine Club, Scottish Rite, Orient American Legion Post 1961, West Frankfort Elks Club 1340, Franklin County Retired Teachers Association, Illinois Retired Regional Superintendants of Schools, Past President of Illinois County Officials and Past President Illinois Regional Superintendants of Schools.
He also was a licensed pilot who flew to meetings in various cities during his career. He was also associated with the Civil Air Patrol.
He was a man of his word and would never betray a confidence. He will be remembered for his helping hand and as a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.
Elvis is survived by his wife, Dorothy Nolen of West City; daughters, Karran Nolen Crombar of Murphysboro, and Janis Reed Thomas and husband Skip of Benton; grandchildren, Allen Crombar and wife Deanna, Lance Crombar and wife Brooke, and Brandon Mandrell and wife Alex; great-grandchildren, Kate and Corey Crombar, and Harper Mandrell; special aunt, Bernice Murphy, who was like his second mother; cousins, Karen Novy and husband John, Kathy Reilly, and Bob DePriest and wife Margo; and other family members, Charles and Kaye Howell, Robert Barnfield, Alan and Vicki Barnfield, and Mary Mandrell and Mekaela; special helpful neighbors, Roger and Tami Price, and Bob and Betsy Varis; and special longtime friend:?Dr. Glenn Poshard and wife Jo.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
For the past 40 years, Elvis shared a special relationship with his good friend Glenn Poshard. He was the First official to endorse Glenn when he ran for the State Senate in 1982. From that point forward, he served as Glenn's closest adviser, mentor and campaign chairman and treasurer. He and Glenn spent countless hours together in Springfield and Washington, D.C., with Elvis helping Glenn set up and manage his offices. Their last campaign together was the governor's race in 1998 when Glenn came within two points of winning. Sharing political stories with Glenn was always one of the highlights of his day.
