Rev. Warren F. Toler, Sr., 89, of Winchester Road in Irvine, KY, former owner of Warren F. Toler Funeral Home in Greensburg, KY passed away Thursday, April 18, 2024 at his home following a brave battle with cancer. He was born July 26, 1934 in Powell County, KY, a son of the late Green Berry and Geneva Young Toler.
Rev. Toler received his bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University and his master’s degree from Morehead State University. He began his career in Vocational Education as a teacher of auto mechanics and later became principal of the Montgomery County Vocational School. After relocating to the Ashland area, he became principal of the Boyd County Vocational School where he later retired from public education.
In 1981 he achieved a lifelong dream when he built the Warren F. Toler Funeral Home in Irvine with his son, Warren F. Toler, Jr. He worked for decades as a Funeral Director serving the people of Estill County and his family proudly continues this legacy today.
Warren gave his heart to the Lord as a young man and dedicated himself to His service. The most humbling and greatest honor of his life was that God called him to preach the gospel. He became an ordained elder with the Church of the Nazarene and served for decades as an evangelist preaching throughout the tri-state area. In the early years, many times preaching together with his brother, John Toler, and later with his cousin, Russell Wayne Everman. Through the years, he accepted the call to pastor the Winchester Church of the Nazarene, the Russell (Flatwoods) Church of the Nazarene and the Irvine Church of the Nazarene. Even during his retirement, he made himself available to fill-in for the pastor when churches were in need.
Warren met and fell in love with Elizabeth Ann Honshell, a beautiful girl from the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. They married as teenagers on December 26, 1953. Their enduring love was evident to all as they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary together this past Christmas season surrounded by their family.
SURVIVORS:
His wife: Elizabeth Toler
3 children: Debra Ann Toler Lowe, Nina Frances Toler, and Warren F. Toler, Jr. & wife Sandra
4 grandchildren: Amy Elizabeth (Brandon) Marshall, Joseph Bradley Clem, Warren F. “Trey” Toler, III, and Cassandra Lee Toler
7 great-grandchildren: Colby Wallace, Reagan Henry, Gretchyn Rawlins, Ryder Rawlins, Madelyn Clem, Warren “Cade” Toler, IV and Ava Toler
2 sisters, Laverne Adams and Dora (Jim) Watkins.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Ted Lowe; 2 sisters: Margie Spencer and Norma Jones; 3 brothers: Shelby Toler, John Toler, and Kelly Toler; as well as 5 siblings that died in childhood: Madge, G.B. Jr., Ronnie, Donnie, and Stanley Toler.
Funeral service: Monday, April 22, 2024 at 11:00amET at the Warren F. Toler Funeral Home Chapel in Irvine, KY with Rev. Jason Barnett officiating
Burial: West Irvine Cemetery
Visitation: Sunday, April 21, 2024 from 6:00pm-8:00pmET
Pallbearers: Trey Toler, Brad Clem, Irfan Rashid, Ryder Rawlins, Cade Toler, Colby Wallace, Gretchyn Rawlins, and Cassie Toler
Honorary Pallbearers: Amy Marshall, Reagan Henry, Madelyn Clem, Ava Toler, Lyric Koch, Rick Chaney, David Witt, and Tony Murphy
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Gideons International, P O Box 327, Irvine, KY 40336.
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