Joe L. Nolte

Joe L. Nolte, 88, of Fort Smith died in his home with his wife of 64 years, and his children and grandchildren by his side. Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, the world lost a faithful Catholic servant, avid golfer and card player, business and community leader, Razorback fan, and awesome family patriarch. Abbot Jerome Kodell , Monsignor David LeSieur, Father Babu Rao Battula, Father Mark Nolte, and Father Walter Nolte, will lead the celebration of the Funeral Mass at Christ the King Catholic Church in Fort Smith Friday, Dec. 5 at 10:30 a.m., followed by the burial at Fort Smith’s National Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, Dec. 4 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, with a Rosary Vigil service starting at 6:30 p.m. Arrangements will be handled by Edwards Funeral Home. Joe was born in Subiaco, Ark., Aug. 21, 1926. He attended Subiaco Academy, was drafted to serve his country during World War II, and then returned to finish his high school education. Joe also attended Arkansas Tech University and was a graduate of the LSU School of Banking. He retired in 1981 as a Senior Vice President of City National Bank, after a successful, 25-year banking career. Joe held many roles as a community leader including director of the Church League ball fields, board member for St. Edwards Hospital, co-founder of the Catholic Education Endowment Fund and finance chair of St. Scholastica Monastery. A parishioner of Christ the King Catholic Church for 60 years, he also served as the church’s finance chair. Joe is survived by his wife, Jeanne; eight children, Dr. Janet Ayers and husband, Jim Wentworth, Steve Nolte and wife, Barbie, Nancy Licht and husband, Lon, Rick Nolte and wife, Donna, Anne Dunn and husband Courtney, Pat Nolte and wife Susan, Maribeth Hirte and husband Mike, and Lynda Beauchamp; 15 grandchildren, Jody Ayers and wife Heather, Randy Ayers and wife Britni, Shannon Frederick and husband Jake, Jay Nolte and wife Susie, Cameron Licht, Brooke Mooney and husband Jaffet, Drew Nolte, Sydney Licht, Shelby Nolte, Jake Nolte, Jordan Nolte, Grant Nolte, Jared Hirte, Amanda Hirte and Rio Beauchamp; nine great-grandchildren; brother Johnny Nolte; sisters Mary Lou Marley and Joan Greenstreet; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Josef and Gertrude Nolte; brothers Walter H. Nolte and Al Nolte; sisters Elizabeth Villiard and Gertie Gramlich; and several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be his grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe’s lifelong hunting buddies, Dr. Jim Post, Dr. Joel Parker, Gene Stiles and Don Lewison. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Christ the King’s, The Endowment Fund (formerly known as CEEF) or the Walter H. Nolte Scholarship Fund at Subiaco Academy, 405 N. Subiaco Ave., Subiaco, AR 72865-9798. The family wishes to express their appreciation to Charlotte Botteicher and Louise Medlock both of Peachtree Hospice, and Joe’s caregiver, Juanita Church. The family of Joe Nolte takes comfort in knowing their “PaPa” was met at the pearly gates with the words he had long waited to hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant. You are home.” To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.