Delma R. Tolan, Sr. | Eastern NC Now

    Mr. Delma Ross Tolan, Sr., age 89, a resident of 71 Topping Lane, Belhaven, died Thursday, July 3, 2014 at his home.

    Funeral services will be held 3:00 PM Sunday, July 6, 2014 at First Baptist Church of Smithton, conducted by Dr. Burke Holland and Rev. Ed Drew. Burial with military honors will be at Belhaven Community Cemetery.

    Mr. Tolan's grandsons and nephews will serve as pallbearers: William Rosser Tolan, Charles Simmons Tolan, William Frost Tolan, Jr., Ray Tolan, Greg Tolan, Sandy Ratcliff, Harry Glen Jarvis and Ralph Jarvis.

    Mr. Tolan was born in Belhaven on February 26, 1925. He was the son of the late Homer Stion Tolan and Pearl Ross Tolan. Mr. Tolan served in the Merchant Marines during World War II. He participated in the D-Day invasion at Normandy. Mr. Tolan, along with his wife, Irene, owned and operated Tolan's Department Store in Belhaven for 34 years.

    Mr. Tolan was a founding member of the First Baptist Church of Smithton, where he served as a Deacon. He was a past member of the Belhaven Lions Club, the Belhaven Supper Club and the Richmond Club. Mr. Tolan loved to travel and traveled extensively across the United States with his beloved wife for many years. In his spare time, Mr. Tolan was an avid fisherman, enjoyed hunting and loved playing golf with his friends. He was a very generous person who loved helping others.

    On August 26, 1944, Mr. Tolan married his beloved wife, Irene, who survives.

    Surviving with his wife are two sons, Delma Ross "Del" Tolan, Jr. and, wife Mary of Belhaven, Hal "Duane" Tolan and wife, Janet of Rocky Mount; two grandsons, William Rosser Tolan of Riverside, CA. and Charles Simmons Tolan of Nashville, N.C.; one great grandson, Andrew Brent Tolan of Nashville, NC; and two sisters, Elaine Wade of Thomasville and Marjorie Ratcliff of Terra Ceia.

    In addition to his parents, Mr. Tolan was preceded in death by two sisters, Hazel Jarvis and Evelyn Tolan and three brothers, Elmo Tolan, Homer Tolan, Jr. and William Frost Tolan.

    The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM Sunday at First Baptist Church of Smithton and other times at his home.

    Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Smithton, 2951 Seed Tick Neck Road, Pinetown, N.C. 27865.

    Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

    Paul Funeral Home of Belhaven is honored to serve the Tolan family.