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.