Johnnie "Hammer" Nolen

Johnnie H. "Hammer" Nolen, 62, of New Hope, OH, passed away suddenly on Tuesday morning, October 16, 2012. Born in Teges (Clay Co.), KY, he was a son of the late Boyd & Rachel (Allen) Nolen. From an early age, he lived with and was raised by his aunt and uncle Alta & Olen Cantrell. As a young man, he worked for Estridge Market in Drexel. He retired in 1999 from the Inland (Delphi) Division of General Motors in Dayton, and then Vandalia. He enjoyed vegetable gardening; was a NASCAR fan of both the Earnhart's, and a fan of Kentucky Wildcats basketball. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by aunt Alta and uncle Olen: brothers and sister Billy Nolen, Geraldale Nolen, Cecil Nolen, Dennis Cantrell; Linda "Kookie" Cantrell: and brother-in-law David Myers. Survived by wife Donna M. (Myers) Nolen whom he married April 5, 1975; sisters and brothers Loretta (Don) Smith of Murfreesboro, TN; Fannie (David) Sorkey of Columbus, GA; Lola Gatliff of Fairfield, OH; Olen Nolen of Germantown, OH; Ron Nolen of Greenville, OH; and Dale (Phyllis) Cantrell of Greenville: sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Don (Marie) Myers of New Hope; Danny (Pam) Myers of Arcanum, OH; Dale (Charlotte) Myers of Dayton; Cathy Gibson of Eaton, OH; Debbe Robinson of Richmond, IN; and Carolyn Fryman of Miamisburg, OH: a host of nieces, nephews, many close friends and loving neighbors. Friends may call on the family from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM Saturday, October 20, 2012 at the Robert L. Crooks Funeral Center at Preble Memory Gardens - 3377 US Rt. 35 - West Alexandria, OH. Funeral service to follow at 2:00 PM with Johnnie's cousin Darryl Allen presiding. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Assn. or the American Diabetes Assn. Interment Preble Memory Gardens Cemetery. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Johnnie "Hammer" Nolen please visit our Sympathy Store.