Nola Lucille Coning

Mother, Mom, Grandma, Aunt Nola was born on July 31, 1934, in Darke County to the late James “Russell” & Iva P. (Anthony) Whittaker. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Paul Gene Coning on March 24, 2019, whom she married June 26, 1951; daughter-in-law, Kathy Coning; sisters, Marie Garbig, Elnora Marshall, Dorothy Sullenbarger, and Emma Frederick; and brothers, Chalmer Whittaker, Gerald Whittaker, Everett “Jack” Whittaker, Don Whittaker, and Jim Whittaker.

Nola is survived by her children, Diane & Garry Crowe of Greenville, and David Coning of Beavercreek; grandchildren, Emma & Jimmy Halpin of Wyoming, Ohio and Sarah & Jordan Adleta of Fairfield, Ohio; great grandson, Hudson William Adleta; sister Vera Marshall of Greenville; sisters-in-law, Sharon Schlechty of Union City, Ohio, and Linda Coning of Union; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Nola was a homemaker, worked the farm on Fisher-Dangler, and was employed at Derby Manufacturing in Greenville for 13 years. She was a proud member of the Woodington Congregational Christian Church. She was a 4-H leader for 15 years. She also served on the board for March of Dimes Walk-A-Thon and volunteered at the Shawnee Prairie Nature Preserve. She worked at the Great Darke County Fair for 39 years, serving as the Secretary of the Swine Department for 20 years, and as the Secretary of the Fruit and Youth Vegetable Department for 19 years. Along with her husband, Paul, she was the Grand Marshal of the fair in 2000.

She loved to garden and can fruits and vegetables and was famous for her fabulous “Hillbilly Garden” which she collected trinkets for throughout the years. Nola and Paul delighted in riding their mighty Gold Wing motorcycle touring throughout the United States, from coast-to-coast. Nola and Paul also enjoyed camping with their travel trailer all over the United States.

Nola loved her children and was especially devoted to her two grandchildren, helping to raise them by providing daycare until they reached pre-school. Christmas was her favorite time of year and along with Paul, made sure that each and every year was filled with magic and love. They hosted an annual open house on the farm on Christmas Eve for many years; opening their home to family and friends to share food, fellowship, and homemade ice cream. She delighted in the number of beautifully decorated Christmas trees of all sizes she had throughout the home.

Although all of those she touched will miss her deeply, she led a rich and wonderful life full of friends and family and love.

A celebration of Nola’s life will be held at 1:00 pm Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at Zechar Bailey Funeral Home in Greenville with Pastor Jim Fulton officiating. Burial will follow in Abbottsville Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to EverHeart Hospice 1350 North Broadway Greenville, OH 45331 or to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation 28 West 44th Street, Suite 609, New York, NY 10036. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.zecharbailey.com for the Coning family.