Noel L Newlin

Noel L. Newlin, 88, died Saturday, December 22, 2012 at Heartland Rehabilitation Center in Decatur, Illinois.  He was born September 8, 1924 to Paul Alvin and Diora Olive Willyard Newlin of Paoli, Indiana.  He attended Paoli schools from 1930 to 1942.  After working at J.D. Adams (1942-1943) in Indianapolis, Noel was drafted into the U.S. Army Combat Military Police of the 20 ^th Corps led by Major General Walton H. Walker.  This unit was known as the “Ghost Corps” that was the spearhead of Lieutenant General George S. Patton’s 3 ^rd Army’s great eastward drive to liberate France during World War II.  During his time in the Verdun area, Noel married Therese Genevieve Mouzet (Landres, France) on October 18, 1945.  Noel was honorably discharged from the army in January 1946.  He worked in Indianapolis for a short time and then returned to Paoli where he held various jobs: Cornwell Co. (1946-47),  Kroger (1948), Newlin’s Market (1949-1971), self-employed carpenter (1972), Paoli Water Plant  as the first certified operator for both water and sewer (1972-1979), Patoka Water and Sewer Operations as District Superintendent certified in Water Plant Advanced Operations and Large District Water Operations (1979-1990),  State of Indiana as inspector of small water plants (1990-1992).

Noel was very active in the community of Paoli.  He served on the town council for 12 years (elected president in 2005).  He was very dedicated to the future developments of the city.  He was president of the Orange County Economic Development Partnership Board and urged board members to “keep working on this economic development plan because we’ll never get any place without it.”  Believing in education and preserving history, Noel was a member of the Orange County Historical Society who presented him with its 2010 Historic Contribution Award.  He was a member of the Paoli Friends Meeting House serving as their Sunday school superintendent for many years and participating in their various charitable acts.  His favorite was delivering Thanksgiving meals to shut-ins.

Noel was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Diora Newlin, a still-born sister (Margie), and wife, Therese (1994).  Surviving family include a son, Michael Newlin(French Lick, IN); daughter, Christine Lynch (Oreana, IL); sisters Leota Kirk (Frankfort, KY) and Eva Russell (Orleans, IN); five grandchildren and three great grandchildren; two nieces and three nephews.

Visitation will be on Friday, December 28 ^th , from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Dillman- Scott Funeral Home on 226 West Campbell Street in Paoli and Saturday, December 29 ^th , from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Paoli Friends Meeting  on 301 North Gospel Street.  An 11:00 AM service will be conducted at the church Pastor Dan Smetzer to Officiate. Interment to follow at the Paoli Community Cemetery.

Noel was a quiet man who served God, country, family, community, and friends.  He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.