Mike Nolen

Joseph Michael “Mike” Nolen, Sr., age 85, of Winter Haven, FL passed away peacefully on September 30, 2021 at home surrounded by his family. He was born in Birmingham, AL on June 27, 1936 and moved to Winter Haven in 1949. While at Winter Haven High School, he was the editor of the Blue Devil newspaper and began working in the sports department of The News Chief. Mike became the Sports Editor while attending Florida Southern College where he received a BS degree with a major in journalism, a minor in business, and was a member of the fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha. After his college graduation in 1958, while waiting to go into the Army, he decided to take some real estate courses and made 13 sales in 13 weeks. Mike served in active duty as a 2nd lieutenant at Ft. Benning and Ft. Jackson. Following active duty, he served as a captain in the reserve for ten years while pursuing a career in real estate and insurance which was encouraged by his early success. Throughout his long career, Mike displayed leadership as president of Cypress Gardens Realty and Insurance, VP for Poe & Associates (Insurance), president of the WH Rotary Club, president of the WH Board of Realtors & president of the WH Chamber of Commerce. He served as chairman of the WH Planning Board, chairman of the United Way of Lake Region campaign, and VP of Waverly Citrus Growers. He served on the board of trustees for First Florida Bank, Barnett Bank, Keep WH Clean & Beautiful and served 35 years on the WH Hospital board of trustees including as president of the board. He was a member of the Polk County Builders Association, the Gulf Ridge Council of Boy Scouts, the Winter Haven Masonic Lodge, and director of the Citrus Center Boys Club. Mike and his partners developed numerous residential subdivisions (including The Gates of Lake Region, Lake Dexter Moorings, and The Shores of Lake Mirror) and commercial properties (including Westside Commercial Center and Havendale Shoppes & Offices) in Winter Haven and other areas of Polk County. He had other business partnerships including citrus groves, air conditioning, and as franchisees for eight Hardee’s Restaurants in Polk County. Of his many recognitions, he received the Jaycee’s Young Man of the Year award (1972), the Banker’s Cup award (1975), the Boys Club Man of the Year award (1986), and Realtor of the Decade (1990) for the 1980s. Mike was a man of deep faith and an active member of Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church for more than 70 years, serving as chairman of the Administrative Board, Finance Committee, Board of Trustees, and many other areas of service. Beyond his career, Mike had hobbies including tennis, swimming, golf, traveling, and reading (especially history books). He was a devoted husband, wonderful father, grandfather and great grandfather. His family and friends will recall his kindness, generosity, and a delightful sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and his legacy will live on in the many lives he touched. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jean & Carl Nolen, stepfather George Foster, brother-in-law Richard “Dick” Wessel, and his brother-in-law Dewey Fleming. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Georgene Leis Nolen, his three children: Michael Nolen, Jr. and his wife Barbara “Bobbi”; Michele Nolen Tison and her husband Kevin; Steven Nolen and his wife Alysa; his seven grandchildren: Ryan Nolen (Joleigh); Chris Nolen (Summer); Mindi Neas (Simon); Andrew Nolen (Ily); Chelsee Williams, Jessica Tison, Matthew Nolen, William Nolen; and ten great grandchildren: George “GQ” Nolen, Sorelli Nolen, Sora Nolen, Layton Nolen, Livy Nolen, Connor Neas, Nolan Neas, Lorelai Neas, Kenneth Nolen, and Derek Nolen. He is also survived by his sister Patricia Wessel, his brother John Nolen (Rita), his sister Jo Carol Fleming, his brother-in-law Gary Leis (Sue Ann), his sister-in-law Kaye Sabiston (Robert), and his sister-in-law Faye Blake (James “Jim”). Visitation will be on October 9, 2021 from 2-4pm at Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church. The Celebration of Life Services will follow at 4pm. Facemasks and social distancing are required. Service will be streamed through Beymer’s Facebook site at https://www.facebook.com/beymerchurch/live_videos. The graveside burial will be at a later date. Life feed link to funeral service: https://www.facebook.com/beymerchurch/live_videos In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Mike Nolen, Sr. may be given to the Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church Trust Fund. (Payable to: Beymer MUMC Trust Fund. 700 N. Lake Howard Dr. Winter Haven, FL 33881). Thank you.