Martin J. Nolan

Martin Nolan held his family at the center of his heart, and committed his life to providing the best for his beloved wife Mabel and their nine children. Martin's commitment is summed up in one of his favorite quotes: "Friends may come and go, but family is forever." With a victorious end to the Great War, the year 1918 marked the dawn of an era of celebration. American industry boomed to meet the new demands of a peacetime nation, and the stock market soared. In Hesperia, Michigan, James Nolan and his wife Sarah Garland discovered another, more personal reason to celebrate. On April 19, 1918 they were blessed with the healthy birth of their son Martin. Along with his older sister Marie and his younger brother James, he was raised in Hesperia. Martin's father co-owned a successful coal company in Chicago in the 1910's, but not wanting to raise their children in Chicago, he sold his share of the business and moved his family to Hesperia, where they opened a dairy farm. Throughout his childhood, Martin worked on the farm alongside his brother and sister. In 1936 he graduated from Hesperia High School, where he lettered in varsity basketball, baseball, and track. His passion for sports lives on in many of his athletic children and grandchildren. After his graduation, Martin began working at Bennett Pumps in Muskegon. It was here that he met Mabel LaMouria, who was working as a secretary. It was love at first sight. In a letter that Martin sent home to his parents asking permission to marry Mabel, he stated, "She has no flaws, except the fact that she wants to marry me." The young couple was married on October 9, 1942 at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas, the same day he graduated from flight school in the U.S. Army Air Corps Class of 42-I. Commissioned as an officer, Martin trained World War II pilots, and retired as a Captain in January, 1946. He was proud of his military service, and kept in contact with many of his fellow officers, helping over the years to organize numerous reunions. In 2002, he and Mabel were honored by his classmates for service above and beyond the call of duty. While still in the service, Martin and Mabel started their family, which eventually grew to include seven boys and two girls. Upon returning home from the service, Martin bought a 160 acre farm a mile from his parents' home, and he operated a dairy farm for nine years. In 1955 he sold the farm and moved his family to Muskegon where he and Mabel had built a new home. Martin began selling insurance, and in 1961 he and Mabel established the Martin J. Nolan Insurance Agency. The business flourished, enabling Martin and Mabel to fulfill a lifelong dream of providing a college education for all of their nine children. In his later years, Martin was thrilled to see his family grow with the blessings of twenty-four grandchildren and four great-grandkids. Martin maintained his lifelong love for sports, and he encouraged his children and grandkids to participate. With retirement, Martin and Mabel found more time to spend with one another. They began wintering in Arizona, and eventually moved to Green Valley, located just south of Tucson where they made many friends. Martin and his buddies enjoyed playing cards, golfing, and fishing. He also enjoyed growing beautiful roses. In May of 2001, they returned home to Muskegon. Martin held many strong opinions, and for a time he was involved in local politics. He was convinced that a person should stand up for his beliefs, and he taught his children to do the same. Proud of his Irish heritage, Martin was a firm supporter of the Catholic Church and its teachings. Martin instilled the value of family into his children and grandkids. For their fiftieth anniversary, he and Mabel requested that the whole family attend church together. At the dinner afterwards, one of the older grandsons spoke up; he said that he didn't always understand the importance of family, but as he looked out at the whole group, with tears in his eyes, he said, "Now I get it." Martin adored his wife Mabel. Their marriage grew stronger with each passing day. In his later years, their bond kept him alive. Each night before bed, Mabel would say, "I love you," and Martin would reply, "Me love you too." They never went to bed without saying this. Even when they were apart, they would telephone each other to exchange their goodnights. Martin's love of God, commitment to his wife and family, his integrity, generosity, work ethic, and standards for excellence will continue to serve as an inspiration for all who knew him. Among the many people whose hearts he touched, he will be greatly missed and frequently remembered. Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Martin died at his home on January 15, 2006. Martin's beautiful wife of 63 years, Mabel (LaMouria) Nolan, was at his side. In addition to his loving wife Mabel, Martin is survived by his nine children: Martin (Amy Krause), Patrick (Christine Callendar), Mary Jane Mapes (Bill Wieringa), Thomas, Michael (Jahel Hinch), Richard (Sandy Frein), Robert (Holly Johnson), Nancy (Kevin Moody), and Terry. Martin's legacy includes 24 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Martin is also survived by his sister, Marie Lause of Fowler, three nieces, and a nephew. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother James of Hesperia. MEMORIAL MASS Friday, January 20, 2006, 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church with Fr. Michael Olson officiating. VISITATION Thursday, 6:30-8:30 PM at Clock Funeral Home with a Rosary service at 8:30 PM. Please visit Martin's personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory, sign the guestbook, or post a memorial contribution to the American Lung Association or Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church.