Earl William “Bill” Bolte, 94, of Nokomis, died Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at Prairie Rose Health Care Center in Pana.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, located at 211 E. South St. in Nokomis. The funeral ceremony will follow at 12 p.m. with Pastor Terry Walters and Pastor Ryan Follis co-officiating. Interment with military honors will follow the ceremony at Kettelkamp Cemetery in rural Nokomis. The family has entrusted Stiehl-Dawson Funeral Home in Nokomis with ceremonies.
Mr. Bolte was born Sept. 16, 1929, in Witt, the son of Fred and Ruby F. (Poteet) Bolte. He proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. Mr. Bolte married Loretta Whitten on June 6, 1953, at the Bingham Baptist Church. She preceded him in death on March 19, 2004. Mr. Bolte owned and operated Bill’s DX, and later Bill’s Sunoco, for several years and worked as the transportation director for Unit 22 Schools for many decades. He was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Nokomis. Mr. Bolte was also a member of the American Legion Post #456 in Nokomis and the V.F.W. Post #1306.
Mr. Bolte is survived by his children, Bill (Lou Ann) Bolte, Jr. of Nokomis, Marie Janssen of Clinton, KY, Cheryl (Terry) Walters of Pana and Karen (Gary) Bozarth of Coalton; grandchildren, Michael Bolte, Jill (Kenny Landgrebe) Bolte, Adam (Laura) Bolte, Elizabeth (Andy) Janssen-Hughes, Ryan Janssen, Joshua (Angie) Walters, Whitney (Dustin) Meek and Nicole (Dustin) Gibson; step-grandson, Tom (Fawn) Bozarth; 16 great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Keeley Bozarth; infant sister, Lavada Rose Bolte; brother, Don Bolte; and sisters, Wanita Paden, Wilma Darnell and Helen Petty.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Nokomis. Please visit www.stiehldawsonfh.com to share memories of Mr. Bolte, or to offer condolences to his family.
