Edward S. Noble died September 18th, at Otterbein Retirement Home. He was 97.

Noble was born on April 15, 1918 the son of Dr. Nathan Vernon Noble and Bernice Huffman Noble. On August 24th, 1943 he married Kathleen (Kay) Kuck who survives at Otterbein.

He is also survived by two children, Kraig E. Noble (Chris) of St. Marys and Susan Noble Davis (Dr. Daniel) of Georgetown, South Carolina. Also surviving are five grandsons, Major Jeffrey Winters Noble (Tina), Andrew Noble Davis (Amanda), Nathan Thomas Davis (Erinn), Dr. Daniel Edward Davis (Dr. Lindsey) and Jonathan Edward Noble and eight great-grandchildren. Also surviving are several close nieces and nephews.

Predeceasing him were his parents, his brother (Dr. Vernon Noble) and sister, (Dorothy Wieser Irwin).

Noble's heritage in Auglaize County ran deep as his family settled in what is now Noble Township in the 1830s. Although born into a family of doctors he chose the law as his profession. He graduated from Memorial High School in 1936 and The Ohio State University (BS in Business Administration) in 1940.

His studies at the University of Michigan Law School were interrupted by service for four years in the Army Air Corps, where he was discharged as a Captain. He returned to Michigan Law School receiving his Juris Doctor degree in 1946 and was admitted to the practice of law in Ohio in 1947.

After his admission to the bar, Noble returned to his hometown and started a solo practice which over the years grew into the firm of Noble, Montague and Moul, finally retiring after 65 years as a practicing attorney. His long time law partner was Eldon E. Montague. He also practiced with John Moul, his son Kraig Noble and Jeffrey Squire.

Noble was active in various professional activities serving on two occasions as President of the Auglaize County Bar Association and a three year term on the governing board of the Ohio State Bar Association. The Ohio Supreme Court appointed him to serve on the Board of Grievances and Discipline and also on the governing board of the Client Security Fund. He was a member of the Ohio State Bar Foundation and the American Bar Foundation. In 1997 the Ohio State Bar Foundation honored him with its Service to the Public Award.

He was a founding Trustee of the St. Marys Community Foundation and served as its President for many years. He saw that organization grow from its beginnings with assets of 7 thousand dollars to assets of over 5 million. He helped found the St. Marys Area Chamber of Commerce, the St. Marys United Fund (which grew into the Auglaize County United Way) and the Auglaize County Historical Society.

When he returned to St. Marys in 1947 an unexpected vacancy occurred in the office of City Solicitor (now Law Director) and he served in that office for 16 years. As Solicitor he was active in improving city services in the postwar expansion of St. Marys.

He helped secure the location of Joint Township District Memorial Hospital in St. Marys. He was an early member of the Western Ohio Education Foundation (WOEF Board) serving for over 40 years, and as its President for many of those years. He also served on the board and was President of the Elmgrove Cemetery Association.

For his entire career in St. Marys, Noble was an active member of the Rotary Club, serving as President in 1956-57. He was a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. He was also a lifelong member of the American Legion and the Idlewild Club.

Noble was a passionate sportsman with a special love for trapshooting, pheasant hunting and golf. In conjunction with his passion for hunting he also raised English Setters, keeping a line for several generations.

In his trapshooting career Noble shot over 25,000 registered clay targets and won a preliminary event at the Grand American Tournament in Vandalia. He was a member of the Okoboji Indians shooting organization where he was known as Chief Stick Em Good.

He loved to compete at golf scoring four holes in one in his career. For 50 years he took an annual trip to the Mid Pines Golf Club in North Carolina. Even in his 80's, Noble could be found competing at the Northmoor Golf course with his fellow octogenarians.

He was also an avid football fan missing only a handful of Roughrider football games in a span of over 65 years. Rider Rooters awarded him the Blue Jacket Award.

A lifelong member of the Wayne Street United Methodist Church, Noble served his church in various capacities including Chair of the Administrative Board, Chair of the Pastor Parish Committee and as Finance Chairman.

One of Noble's special loves was the Goodfellows organization which he helped for his entire career.

Many local organizations have honored Noble for his services to the community. The Chamber of Commerce designated him a Builder of Bridges. Along with his law partner Eldon Montague, he was named Auglaize County's Outstanding Senior Citizen in 2011.

He was a member of the first class of inductees into the Memorial High School Hall of Fame. In 2012, he was also named a local hero by the Lima Area Jefferson Awards Foundation.

Memorial gifts may be made to the St. Marys Community Foundation for the Noble Family Fund which has been designated to benefit all of those organizations he was involved with over his life.

A memorial service will be held at Wayne Street United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 31st at 11:00 AM.

Miller Funeral Home, 1605 Celina Road, Saint Marys, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to Mr. Noble's family via Millerfuneralhomes.net.