Olinger, Nolan 'Richard'

Nolan “Richard” Olinger, 69, of Toddville, died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, at his home from complications of leukemia and Merkel cell carcinoma. Visitation: 2 until 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion. Funeral: 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 14, at the funeral home, by Pastor Rick Gail. Burial will take place at Dunkard Cemetery in Toddville, with military honors.

Richard was born Jan. 14, 1943, in Artesia, Calif., to Theodore Jay “T.J.” and Dorothy Mildred (McCreary) Olinger. Shortly thereafter, they moved back to Toddville, where Richard attended school, and graduated from Alburnett High School in 1961. He worked for his father building homes at Olinger Construction, and in 1964, enlisted in the U.S. Army. While serving in Vietnam, a fellow soldier suggested that he become pen-pals with a young woman named Dianne L. Hartwick from Greenock, Pa. Richard visited Dianne while on leave to the states, and following his military service, moved to the Pittsburgh area to be near her. He worked for Cummins Diesel as a mechanic during their engagement, and on Aug. 31, 1968, they were married at Peace evangelical Lutheran Church in Greenock. Following their marriage, the couple moved to Cedar Rapids, where Richard worked for FMC Link Belt as a welder. In 1975, together with family, they built a house in the Toddville area, where they raised their four sons. In the early 1980s, Richard worked as a technician for TelecomUSA which later became MCI. Traveling across the country, he became a nationally known field engineer installing data/voice communication circuits. In 1994, Richard attained his lifelong dream of owning and operating his own business: Communications Solutions. He cherished the lasting friendships that he made with his employees and customers over the years.

Richard was fortunate to have been able to travel with Dianne all over the United States (including Hawaii) and Europe. Their year was never complete without an annual family fishing trip to Minnesota, a winter run to Florida, and Caribbean cruises. Richard was proud to have served nine years on the Alburnett Community school board and was a member of American Legion Post 674 of Toddville.

He was a wonderful husband, a very proud father and grandfather, and a loyal friend to many.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Dianne; his sons, Michael (Corina Pudil Merritt) Olinger of Marion, Scott (Courtenay) Olinger of Mount Vernon, Eric (Sally) Olinger of Blue Mound, Wis., and Matt (Sasha) Olinger of Toddville; his grandchildren, Zachary, Forrest, Maxwell, Reece, Milo, Violet, Juliet, Willa, Wyatt, Clyde, Kyra and Jenna; two brothers, Theodore (Doris) Olinger of Toddville and Dwight (Carol) Olinger of Burnsville, Minn.; two sisters, Virginia (Charles) Beaner of Marion and Janeece (David) Lasley of Monticello; a special nephew, David (Madelyn) Beaner of Marion; his canine companion, Millie; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Genevieve Evelyn Olinger; and his in-laws, Harry T. and Hazel (Wunderly) Hartwick Jr.

Memorials in Richard's memory may be directed to the family.

Please sign the online guest book for Richard at www.murdochfuneralhome.come under obituaries.

Published Jan. 12, 2013 in The Gazette