Nolan Carter

Nolan Carter, 61, of Palestine, IL, died September 13, 2021, at Union Hospital in Terre Haute, IN. He was born August 22, 1960, in Olney, IL, the son of Darrell Carter & Alice J. (Ayres) Carter, both of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by three angel babies. He married Cathy (Pierson) on June 1, 1990, and she survives. He is also survived by his daughters, Ashley Carter (Robinson, IL) and Chelsea Carter & her husband Charlie Duvall (East Moline, IL); by his grandson, Quintin Carter; by his special friends, Jon & Halen Mendenhall and their daughter (Nolan's honorary granddaughter) Aspen, Ben & Shelby Mendenhall and their children, Bella, Ella, Lyla, Trenton, and Easton, and Bec & C.J. Short; and by his four-legged companions, his cat, Frank, and his dog, Mei Lei. He is also survived by his aunts and uncles, Arlene Stanley, Alan & Laura Ayres, Pauline Shehorn, Floyd & Gerri Carter, Jo Carter, Barbara Webster, and Sue Inboden; as well as several cousins (who were more like siblings growing up with him.) Nolan grew up in the Robinson and Palestine areas and was a 1978 graduate of Palestine High School. He worked for his dad for many years and eventually took over Carter's Floor Cleaning when his dad got sick. He would continue running the business for a number of years before moving to Texas. Here, Nolan found employment in a pet store and often found himself without a paycheck due to his buying everything in the store. During his tenure, he would bring home several saltwater and freshwater fish, birds, dogs, lizards, and even a kingsnake named Elvis! Back home, he was a staple at the Palestine Casey's, where he made doughnuts and worked hard to cater to his "regulars." The relationships he formed with his customers led him to win an award for receiving the most donations for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, an honor he was particularly proud of. His skills in the Casey's kitchen were but a small taste of the delicious meals he whipped up at home. He enjoyed grilling and frying fish, many of which he caught himself. An avid fisherman, some of the most peaceful times of Nolan's life were spent with a rod and reel in his hand. He was also a great lover of music and was especially drawn to classic country and 70's rock. You could find these (and many, many other) genres on this computer whiz's desktop. It should come as no surprise that he was so digitally adept, as he was a highly knowledgeable and educated man. A member of the Phi Beta Kappa academic honors society, he graduated from LTC with honors at the age of 40. Needless to say, he took a non-traditional educational route! We who are left behind will remember with fondness the love Nolan so freely gave and the joy with which he lived. It could be said that his life was saturated with laughter. He had the uncanny ability to bring light into any situation, which comes as no surprise to those who know where his joy came from. A man of deep faith, he actually pastored the Nazarene Church in Lawrenceville for a time before associating with the Oak Grove Church of LaMotte Prairie. We find both comfort and assurance that the faith he clung to throughout his life has finally been made sight. A time of visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 17, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. Funeral services will immediately follow and will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday with Pastor Scott Mendenhall and Celebrant Curt Goodwine officiating. A live stream of his service will be available on Goodwine Funeral Homes' Facebook page or by going to https://www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/live-stream/live-stream . Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be made to either the "Palestine NOW Program" or the charity of the donor's choice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.