Edwin M. Nolan, 72, a retired plasterer from Calumet City, died Tuesday in his home.
A 50-year-member of the local plasterers union, Mr. Nolan worked for 40 years at Hyland A. Nolan Plastering Co.
“Family and plastering were what his life was all about,” said his son, Joseph Nolan.
In the mid-1940s, Mr. Nolan was drafted into the now-defunct horse cavalry and was stationed in Burma and India.
Mr. Nolan was an avid collector of many things, including stamps and coins. But his most prized collection was his array of military hats.
“No matter where he went, he’d pick up a hat and he always had a story to go with it,” his son said.
He was a member of the Plaster & Cement Masons Union Local No. 5, V.F.W. Post No. 8141 and the Calumet Memorial Post No. 330.
Other survivors include his wife, Mary; four sons, Michael, Patrick, Anthony and Daniel; two daughters, Margaret Nolan and Mary Kay Henderson; his mother, Julia; a brother, William; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in The Hennessy-Nowak Funeral Home, 400 Pulaski Rd., Calumet City. A mass will be said at 10 a.m. Wednesday in St. Andrew the Apostle Church, 768 Lincoln Ave., Calumet City.
