Obituary – Rollin Noble

Rollin Burchell Noble, 96, of Mount Ayr, peacefully passed away on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Mill Pond Retirement Community in Ankeny, Iowa.
Rollin was born on August 26, 1929, on a farm in Riley Township, Ringgold County, on a very hot, sweltering day.  The farmhouse straddled the Iowa-Missouri border.  Due to the heat, a shaded bedroom was used, and he was born in Iowa, rather than in Missouri. Rollin was the son of Norman and Edna (Harrington) Noble. He attended country schools until eighth grade and then graduated from Mount Ayr High School in 1947. Rollin attended Caledonia Methodist Church, and in 1950, Rollin accepted the Lord. He was later baptized in a river on the family farm.
Rollin served in the US Army from 1951 to 1953, where he spent seventeen months in Korea. During his time overseas, Rollin repaired telephone lines and worked at a POW camp.  He befriended a Korean War prisoner who did not want to fight but wanted to be back in his native country of South Korea. The prisoner told Rollin he was making something for him. One night, there was a large prison breakout. The next day, the prisoner was still there.  Rollin asked why he did not leave, and he said, “Your gift is not done yet”. The next day, the prisoner was gone, leaving behind a ring made out of a shell casing for Rollin. He always cherished the handmade ring.
In 1954, Rollin met Joan Terwilliger at the skating rink in Mount Ayr. The two were wed at the Mount Ayr Methodist Church on December 18, 1955. They became members of the First Baptist Church, where Rollin served as a Deacon, Trustee, Usher Greeter, Pulpit Committee, and Sunday School Teacher.
Rollin continued being a pillar of the community, working at a furniture Store, Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home, City Council, Library Board, Rose Hill Cemetery Board, Mutual Insurance Board, Lions Club, VFW in Creston, American Legion Post #172, and 4-H Leader in Ringgold County. From 1971 to 1991, he was the Ringgold County Clerk of Court. He was elected five times as a Republican.
After his retirement in 1991, Rollin and Joan moved to their favorite vacation spot, Branson, Missouri. Rollin and Joan began working at the Paramount Motor Lodge, making show and meal reservations for bus groups staying at the motel. In 1991, Rollin and Joan formed their own tour business, Noble Tours. They attended Riverdale Baptist Church in Nixa, a church they always attended while vacationing in Branson, prior to retirement.
In addition to Noble Tours, Rollin stayed busy working at the Baldknobbers Theater from 1994 to 2009. He was an active member of the Korean Veterans Association, Harry S. Truman Chapter. Rollin was very proud of his military service. In 2014, Rollin and his son, Jerry, were able to go on the Veteran’s Honor Flight to Washington DC.
Rollin stayed active by attending NAIA basketball games, frequent trips to Chick-fil-A, and feeding any wildlife that wandered onto their property. Rollin never met a stranger and was able to talk to anybody about anything.
Rollin was a very devoted husband and a very proud father of his son, Jerry. He would always happily transport Jerry’s drum set across the country to various contests. Rollin absolutely cherished the times he could spend with his grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Reginald Noble; and sister, Norma Noble.
Rollin is survived by his wife of seventy years, Joan Noble; his son, Jerry (Kim) Noble; grandchildren, Jade (Clay) Dean, Cassidy (Caitie) Noble, Carson (Kassidy) Noble, and Maddie Noble; three great-grandchildren, Alena, Harper, and Harrison; three brothers, Gary (Velda) Noble, Gerald (Glenda) Noble, and Derald (Beverly) Noble; and numerous other family members.
To quote Rollin’s father, “Please do not mourn for me, for my life has been so full and complete.”
Funeral services were held 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr with Pastor Barton Shields officiating. Casketbearers were Jerry Noble, Cassidy Noble, Carson Noble, Maddie Noble, Jade Dean. Honorary Pallbearers were Gary Noble, Gerald Noble, and Derald Noble. Military honors were given by Ringgold County American Legions and the U.S. Army Honor Guard. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Riverside Baptist Church of Nixa, PO Box 1571, Nixa, MO 65714.