Clayton Nolting is facing Ron Shadley today in the Republican race for Bartholomew County coroner.

Nolting, 31, is a Columbus police officer, where he serves on the SWAT team and a field training officer, and chief deputy coroner. He is the son of Bruce and Diane Nolting and has two brothers, a fiancee and a dog named Archer. He holds two associates degrees, a bachelors in organizational leadership and supervision from Purdue University and a masters in forensic entomology at Purdue. This is his first time running for office. He attends St. Peters, likes to play golf and fish.

Shadley, 61, is a funeral director with Myers-Reed Dignity Memorial Chapel and deputy coroner in Brown County. He and his wife, Johanna Hand-Shadley, co-own Faithful Friends in Passing pet cremation service. He has four sons. Originally from Shelby County, they moved here in 1998. Shadley graduated Indiana College of Mortuary Science in Indianapolis in 1975 and worked in Muncie for 20 years. He has been an emergency medical technician and has been active in the Red Cross. He organized the restoration of Sand Hill Cemetery after its vandalism, brought the Vietnam Wall memorial to the community and helped organize the Wreaths Across America.

We asked the candidates to talk about the qualities they would bring to the office.

Nolting said:

05-03 Clayton Nolting Question 1 Full

Shadley said:

05-03 Ron Shadley Question 1 Full

The winner of the Republican race between Nolting and Shadley will face Democrat Paula Rothrock in the November election. She is unopposed in today’s primary election.