Dooley Hollars, 94, Marion, passed away at 1:27 am on Friday, January 6, 2023, in his home surrounded by those who loved him dearly. He was born in Wilder, Tennessee, on Thursday, February 16, 1928, to John and Della (Dailey) Hollars. On June 27, 1953, he married Woodrie Lorraine Brawl, and they enjoyed 63 years together; she precedes him in death.
Dooley was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War from 1949-1952. He achieved the rank of Sergeant and served as a Forward Observer, tasked with going behind enemy lines and radioing in the position of the enemy. His love and loyalty to our country, and his respect for those who served to protect our freedoms, never waned. Following his military service, he worked at Fisher Body/General Motors in Marion, Indiana, where he was an inspector for 30 years.
He served as a bi-vocational pastor for over four decades. He loved the gospel and greatly desired for people to see and act on their need for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He assured family multiple times that he knew the One in Whom he had believed and had a confident expectation that God would welcome him into Heaven based on Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for his sins. Despite a limited education, he constantly read and studied the Scriptures and sought to know and understand his God. He sought training in Biblical Counseling and served as counselor to many people in this area. Dooley was a member of Grace Community Church and very much enjoyed attending services whenever his health allowed.
Survivors include his son, Rick (Monika) Hollars of Augusta, GA; daughters, Deborah (Denzil) Tyra of Fairmount, Brenda (Mark) McBride of Swayzee, and Karen (Scot) Shelburne of Dunlap, IL; sister, Louise (Don) Smith of Wartburg, TN; grandson Andrew McBride of Columbus; granddaughters, Briana (Matt) Buckley of Fishers, Stephanie Shelburne of Greenville, SC, Sarah (Matthias) Robertson of Greenville, SC, Emily Shelburne of Normal, IL, Lauren Shelburne of Dunlap, IL, Julie (Aaron) King of Gas City, Jennifer (Chris) Brown of Fairmount, and Megan (Brian) Pullen of Evans, GA; and eight great-grandchildren, Fallon Buckley, Kendall Buckley, Alison (Ryan) Martin, Austin Purtee, Phillip King, Seth Brown, Abby Brown, and Piper Brown.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Linda Hollars; brothers, Eugene Hollars, Herbert Hollars, and Bill Hollars; and sisters, Beulah Ellis, Lillie Vanderpool, Margaret Ledbetter, Agnes Powell, and Martha Hall.
The family will receive visitors from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN.
Immediately following the time of visitation, a service to celebrate Dooley’s life will begin at 1:00 pm with Pastor Mark Hummel officiating. Burial will take place at Grant Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be directed to New Hope Hospice, 1391 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN 46952.
Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.
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