John Leslie Bolen
July 7, 1932-October 2, 2022
John Leslie Bolen, 90, passed away Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022 in Westfield with his loving wife by his side.
He was born at home, in Farmer City, Ill., on July 7, 1932, the son of Leslie and Inez Bolin (White).
Mr. Bolen graduated from Moore High School in Farmer City. He worked at Morgan Shell Station, within walking distance from his family home. He also clerked at Lou Gottlieb clothing store in Farmer City before enlisting in the Navy where he served 4 years as a navigator on a sea plane. This experience instilled his love of flying. While owning a gas station in Corpus Christi, Texas, Mr. Bolen took flight school night classes. He gave up his childhood dream of being a cowboy, and at age 30, became the youngest pilot ever to be hired at Eastern Airlines. Captain Bolin flew the Boeing 727 and the Lockheed 1011 aircrafts, one of which he piloted for the Stephen King television mini-series, “The Langoliers.”
He married the love of his life, Karen Molnar, on Oct. 31, 1990, in Reno, Nev. Together, they lived life to the fullest as they traveled the world with Air Lanka; Mr. Bolen as pilot and Karen as his social director.
Cars were also a passion of John. He and Karen drove extensively, visiting friends and family throughout the US. A favorite trip was driving Route 66 across the country. In his retirement, he enjoyed selling cars.
Survivors include his wife Karen; two daughters Cheryl Kay (Charmagne) Pfoff and Judy O’Kelley; two brothers Gerald (Betty) White and Paul (Ellen) Bolin; three brothers-in-law Joe Machnik, Joseph Dominczyk, Jr. and Fred Wrather; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Richard Bolin; and two sisters Divona Wrather and Charlotte Castor.
Heartfelt thanks to Mr. Bolen’s caregivers and special family friends, Don and Judy Ackerson.
He was known for his positive attitude and his passion for life. This was an inspiration for everyone who knew him. He loved to tell stories of his flying experiences and often reflected on his life…”A life well lived.”
Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to serve the Bolin family.