On May 7, 1952, Michael Charles Nowlin was born. He was raised and lived in Rising Sun, Indiana where he graduated high school in 1971. He was a music lover and a lifelong drummer. It was while playing music that he met the love of his life, his wife of over 50 years, Pamela Sue Daugherty.
Mike and Pam married on January 6, 1973. They were blessed with a son, Corey, and a daughter, Carey, the pride of his life. Years later, they welcomed a total of 7 grandchildren. He is survived by his loving wife, Pam Nowlin; by his son Corey Nowlin (Jamie); by his daughter, Carey Bennett (Edward); by his sister, Linda Bayne (Patrick); by his grandchildren: Rachel Lowery, Kolby Nowlin, Tristen Bolton (Krystal), Alinna Bennett (Brooklyn), Scott Bennett, Sophie Gorecki and Allie Gorecki; and by his great grandchildren, Branden Torres and Hazel Bolton. Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Edith Mae Dunaway, by his father, Charles Gore Nowlin and by his niece, Amy Marie Daugherty.
While he and the family lived in Rising Sun, by no means did he stay in Rising Sun. Mike was a career truck driver, logging well over a million miles of safe driving. Every night from the road he would call his family to let them know he was “near mile marker 232 on I-80 east” or wherever he was, he was safe, and he loved them. Every weekend he’d race home (safely) to spend quality time with his wife and kids. He never missed a game, a performance, or a chance to make them all smile. He had the most infectious laugh and he loved telling jokes. He loved golfing, drumming, IU basketball, and being with his family and his beloved Dachshunds, Bouncer and Reesie.
In 2007 he was diagnosed with AML (Leukemia). Although he had a successful bone marrow transplant, he struggled with the aftereffects. In 2023, he was plagued by several health issues, leading to his death on November 1, 2023.
Although health struggles made life difficult in his later years, his true personality never failed to shine through. He remained a loving and caring true friend, husband, father, and grandfather and he will be missed.
Per Mike’s wishes, in lieu of funeral services, a Celebration of Life will be held from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Schroeder Building at the Ohio County Fairgrounds on Saturday, November 11th. In honor of Mike, contributions may be made to either the Rising Sun School Shiner Pride Band Program or St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Markland Funeral Home of Rising Sun, IN serving the family. marklandfuneralhome.com