Ralph Nolan

(From Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home)

Ralph Eldon Nolan was born at home on May 13,1941 in Monett, MO to Sam and Beatrice (Ogle) Nolan. On October 8, 2026, he was welcomed into heaven by his loving wife, Claudia, his brother, John, and his parents.

He met the love of his life, Claudia Stewart, in grade school. After graduating from Monett High School and attending a year of college, they reconnected and eloped to get married in Miami, OK on June 23, 1962.

During their 60 years of marriage, they were blessed with 5 children, 18 grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren.

Ralph worked tirelessly to support his large family. He worked his way up from deliveryman for Bunny Bread Company and Hiland Dairy, to managing Foremost Dairy. At 72 Ralph retired as a salesman from Friend Tire Company where he developed many lasting relationships.

Ralph supported his children’s and grandchildren’s school and sporting events throughout many years, attending band concerts, cheering at football, baseball, soccer and volleyball games, and celebrating academic achievements, to name a few. During the summer evenings, you'd find him at the ball fields coaching softball, not only for his daughters' teams but a women’s team as well. On Sundays, rain or shine as long as the course was open, he'd be playing at least one round of golf, if not two. Ralph loved shooting pool and playing dominoes. He got a kick out of entertaining friends and family with card tricks and jokes. Most recently he enjoyed playing bridge with a special group of people that took care to ensure that he was able to keep playing with them as long as he could. Ralph was always up for an adventure. Many weekends he would load the kids up in the car and take off on a family drive around the area with no destination in mind. In his later years, he channelled that adventuresome spirit into traveling across the world with his wife and family. What a full life he led!

Ralph is survived by his and Claudia's children, Chris Nolan (Michelle), Paige McCollough (Tim), Curtis Nolan (Jennifer), Pamela Ferguson (Thomas), and Pika Harris (Douglas); their grandchildren & great-grandchildren, Nathanial & Val (Theo), Emiliegh & CJ (J Thor & Zakary Ralph), Reagan & Anna (Maddox & Emerson) Rorri & Riley (Ronin & Rya), Kimberly & Xavier, Cole, Cade (Daisy & Lili), Kayla & DJ (Maverick, Alayna & Waylon), Kelsey & Tyler (Keera, Skylar, Weston, Ryker, Brawley & Karlynn), Olivia & Cheyenne (Cooper & Charliegh), Derrick, Allison & Blake (Sadie), India & Will (Asher), Gabi & Connor, Thomas (Ximena), Zack, Bailey & Zach (Flint & Allis), Levi & Courtney (Karsyn & Hunter); his brothers, Mike (Joy) and Monte (Anna); and his sister, Latricia; along with many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett, MO on Thursday, October 15, 2026 from 5:30 p.m to 7:30 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home on Friday, October 16, 2026 at 10:30 a.m., immediately followed by burial at Oakdale Cemetery in Monett, MO. David Keeling officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Barry County Youth Camp at P.O. Box 254, Monett, MO 65708, or at Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett, Missouri.