John Andrew Nolan

John Andrew Nolan, 76, passed away surrounded by family on January 19, 2026. He was born on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1949, in Buffalo, NY, where he resided until his family moved to Dearborn Heights, MI, when John was six. As he grew, his love for music and playing the piano did as well. After graduating from Riverside High School, John earned his bachelor’s degree in music, with a focus on choral music and piano, at Michigan State University in 1972. Go Spartans! With his wife Ann by his side, the new graduate moved to Rogers City, where he taught elementary and middle school music for two years. The couple then returned to the area when John decided to make a job change and began a 28-year career at Wohlert Corporation in Lansing, ultimately earning an associate’s degree in quality engineering and becoming the company’s assistant quality control manager. Even after the business closed in 2004, John, who found work rewarding, was employed by other auto part suppliers until he retired in 2012. Throughout his second career, however, John never gave up his love of music and is remembered by many for entertaining others at the piano and playing the organ, as well for a time, at St. Therese Church, where he was a parishioner for nearly 50 years.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Alice (his first piano teacher); brothers, Robert and James; and daughter, Heather. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ann; daughter, Katie (and Adam) Nolen; son, Andrew (and Anne); and grandchildren, Luke, Caleb, and Annie Nolen; sister, Ann (Eric) Christensen; and brothers, Larry (Cathy), Richard, and David; along with many sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A few of the memories in which family and friends will hold dear include John’s time as a busboy on a Great Lakes cruise ship; many family vacations to Ireland, Ann’s native homeland; various holiday gatherings where he played the piano while family members sang; trips to Buffalo for reunions and to see cousins; Dalmac rides, as he became an avid biker in his fifties; and moments enjoying his grandchildren and teaching them to draw, another of his hobbies. John confronted many obstacles in life, but he always remained positive, following the mantra that he was forever “fabulous.” Now he is in heaven, playing music with his mom again, and watching over us with that same inspirational attitude.

A visitation will be held at Gorsline-Runciman Tiffany Chapel, 3232 W Saginaw St. Lansing, MI 48917 from 4-7 pm on Friday, February 6, with a time for sharing memories at 6 pm. There will then be a funeral mass at St. Therese Catholic Church 102 W Randolph St. Lansing, MI 48906, Saturday, February 7 at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Lansing.