Nolan James, 80, passed away on July 29, 2026, at Deaconess Memorial Medical Center in Jasper.

He was born in Oriole on April 22, 1946, a son of Ivan and Clarice (Etienne) James. Nolan attended Oil Township Schools and graduated in 1964 during the transition to Perry Central School Corporation.

He was a U.S. Army veteran and served his country during the war in Vietnam. In 1968, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth “Betty” Miller at St. Paul Catholic Church in Tell City. Nolan retired from Union Local #181 where he was a heavy equipment operator for several years.

Nolan was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church, VFW Post #2939, American Legion Post #213 and was a member of Tell City Moose Lodge #1424 for several years. He was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.

In his spare time, Nolan enjoyed being at his family’s cabin where he could go hunting, feed his catfish, ride horses, pitch horseshoes and spend time with his grandchildren. He liked to watch U.K. basketball and read Louis L’Amour westerns.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Betty James; children, Chris James (Trina), Diane Sturgeon (Brian), Anita Borden (Patrick) and Brian James (Caryn); son-n-law, Mike Mullen; sister, Janet Schepers; brothers, Roland James (Janet) and “Tiger” James (Sheila); sister-in-law, Pat James; grandchildren, Trevor and Tristan James, Brooke Ingram (Cory), Wyatt Sturgeon (Audrey), Bre Sturgeon (Bryce Cross), Taylor Brinckman (Ryan), Paige Cross (Zach), Reese Borden (Kaelyn Luker), Ella Borden and Emily Sprinkle; great grandchildren, Grant and Warner Ingram, Cecilia Sturgeon and Diane, Cason and Rowan Cross.

Nolan was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan and Clarice James; daughter, Dawn Mullen; brothers, Bernard, in infancy and Linus James and brother-in-law, Jerome Schepers.

Nolan requested no visitation or funeral services. He hoped that he would be remembered as a devoted family man who enjoyed time spent in nature at their cabin.

His family appreciated the care they received from Heart-to-Heart Hospice, especially “Nurse Hayley”.

Memorial contributions may be made to Old Chapel Cemetery where a private burial will take place.