Timothy Tyler Nannet was born August 25, 1959, in Lafayette, IN to Beverly (Royer) Nannet and F. Tyler Nannet. He grew up in a loving home, first in Plainfield and then rural northern Montgomery County, helping his parents and grandparents at their Square Corner Hardware Store in Linden. His love for farming and farm toys started as a very young child and continued his entire life.
Tim graduated from North Montgomery High School in 1978, Purdue University with a degree in Ag Mechanization in 1982, and then began an 18-year career with Orville Redenbacher popcorn, working in R&D at Valparaiso and with growers through Brookston. As a State Fair lover, particularly Pioneer Village, Tim began volunteering there under the tutelage of Mauri Williamson in 1987 and was named director when Mauri stepped down after the 2008 fair, a dream of his life come true. Through his relationship with Mauri, Tim became involved with the Purdue Ag Alumni Association, serving as a director and president.
After meeting through a mutual friend in July 1987 (courtesy of a JD planter), Tim and Kay (Kiehlbauch) married on April 22, 1989, in Indianapolis, and moved to northern Montgomery County in February 1991. They welcomed their son Quinton and daughter Andie into their happy family and full life.
After leaving Orville Redenbacher, Tim worked in the sod and concrete business with Ed Purdy, until he began his dream job as Manager of
Pioneer Village and Facility Enhancement at the Indiana State Fair. He retired in 2017 due to the consequences of his diagnosis of Early Onset Alzheimer’s disease, and continued to enjoy his life, family and friends deeply.
Tim was an active member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Crawfordsville, serving in leadership and on New Orleans mission trips. Kay, Quinton, and Andie are grateful for the loving care and support he has received from his First Christian Church family, his co-workers, family, friends, and medical team over the past nine years, and especially the team that became his family at Bickford, Crawfordsville.
Tim is survived by his wife, Kay; son, Dr. Quinton Nannet of New Zealand; daughter Andie Nannet of Crawfordsville; parents F. Tyler and Beverly Nannet of New Richmond; brother Bryan (Karen) of Aurora, IL; nephew Tyler (Brianna) Nannet, and niece Hannah (Mohan) Kotapati.
Visitation hours are 4-8 p.m. Friday, March 22 at Family and Friends Funeral Home. Graveside services and burial at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at Oakland Cemetery with Pastor Darla Goodrich officiating. Friends are invited to join the family in the funeral procession from Family and Friends Funeral Home, leaving at 1:00 p.m., or meet at the cemetery. Following the graveside service, Tim’s family invites family and friends to join them at Old 55 Distillery for popcorn and spirits in Newtown.
A Celebration of Life service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 20 at First Christian Church, Crawfordsville. In lieu of flowers, the family has designated Purdue University/Pioneer Village for memorial contributions in honor of Tim. Please make donations online at connect.purdue.edu/IMOTimNannet or mail a check payable to Purdue Foundation to Purdue Foundation, P.O. Box 772401, Detroit, MI 48277-2401. Please put Pioneer Village or Tim Nannet in the memo.
