Earl William "Bill" Bolte

Earl William “Bill” Bolte, 94, of Nokomis, passed away on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Prairie Rose Health Care Center in Pana.

Bill was born September 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.  Bill married Loretta Whitten on June 6, 1953, at the Bingham Baptist Church.  She preceded him in death on March 19, 2004.  Bill 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. Bill was also a member of the American Legion Post #456 in Nokomis and the V.F.W. Post #1306.

He was also 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.

Bill 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; 4 step-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation & Funeral Ceremony: The family will receive friends from 10:00-12:00 p.m. on Friday, October 27, 2023, at the First Baptist Church, 211 E. South Street, Nokomis, IL 62075.  The funeral ceremony will follow at 12:00 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.

Memorial contributions may be made to: First Baptist Church, 211 E. South Street, Nokomis, IL 62075.

The family has entrusted Stiehl-Dawson Funeral Home in Nokomis with ceremonies.

Please visit www.stiehldawsonfh.com to share memories of Bill, or to offer condolences to his family.

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