Donald William Nichols, 86, of Wood River, NE passed away on Dec 15, 2017 in the company of family at CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island, NE.
A celebration of life will be held at All Faiths Chapel in Grand Island on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 10 a.m. Pastor Jeff McKearney will officiate. Burial of ashes will follow at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.
Don was born August 20, 1931 in Albion, NE to Clarence and Alta Nichols. He grew up mostly in Belgrade, NE enjoying small town living and spending time with sisters and friends. In 1947 he moved to Grand Island, NE and completed his last four years of high school graduating from Grand Island public schools with his high school diploma. In, 1951, after graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving his country during the Korean War stationed in South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming, and Japan from 1951-1955. Don’s military service was especially important to him and gave him a special feeling of service and duty to protect freedoms for others.
In 1956 he married Kay Boroff. To this union four children were born: two daughters, Cyndi and Sheri along with twin boys, Matthew and Markham. He began working for the Grand Island Veteran’s Hospital and retired with a medical disability after eleven years on the job as an orderly and maintenance technician. Later, he was employed for thirteen years as a Corrections Officer with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
In 1985, he married Marcia Gill, his wife and partner for the past thirty-two years. Together they raised granddaughter, Heather Medrano. Attendance at many of Heather’s athletic contents and vacation trips across the country provided lots of fun memories and sightseeing opportunities through the years for both Don and Marcia. Their home in Wood River was the sight of many family gatherings through the years.
Don’s hobbies and enjoyment came from wood working, collecting watches from vending machine excursions always beating the “claw grippers” getting his prize with the first try. Don and daughter Sheri enjoyed many trips to local eateries where they enjoyed conversations and just spending time hanging out and chatting. Daughter Cyndi also enjoyed spending time with her father just talking and cherishing their visits together. Don loved to fish and tell stories of the “big one” that got away, son Markham joined him on many of those fishing adventures just to enjoy each other’s company while they fished and visited. Don, also, loved to watch any military movies he could find on television to see the strategy and stories remembering the sights, sounds of airplanes, types of equipment, and camaraderie he developed with fellow service men during his service abroad while stationed in Japan and Korea. A lifetime special memory was his trip on the 2013 Hall County Hero Korean War Flight to Washington D.C. with son, Matthew, to celebrate memories of his service, the shared experiences with fellow soldiers and seeing the sights of Washington D.C. where he and other Korean War veterans on the trip were honored for their service to our country. Don also loved spending time with family and watching the activities of his family. He enjoyed a sense of humor and often was a jokester, enjoying the telling of the story almost as much as hearing others laugh.
Don, was affiliated with the Alda-Wood River VFW Post 4677 for years and was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans. Additionally, Don was a Master Mason with Cement Lodge 211 of Wood River. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include: wife, Marcia, sons Matthew Nichols of Alda, NE, Markham (Nadine) Nichols of Wood River, NE, daughters Cyndi Nichols of Wood River, NE, and Sheri (Rich) Sherman of Alda, NE. In addition are stepchildren, Todd (Patty) Gill of Omaha, NE, Michele Gill of Norfolk, NE, Heather (Jose) Medrano of Grand Island, NE. Sisters, Dorothy Craven and Betty Smith of Stockton, CA, sister-in-law Rheta Osborne of Hebron, NE, also, 13 grandchildren, 12 great grand-children, many nieces, and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents Clarence Nichols and Alta Haynes, twin brother, Ronald Nichols, sister Lorraine Weigand and brother in laws Ozzie Osborne, Phil Weigand John Smith.
A celebration of life will be held at All Faiths Chapel in Grand Island on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 10 a.m. Pastor Jeff McKearney will officiate. Burial of ashes will follow at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.
Don was born August 20, 1931 in Albion, NE to Clarence and Alta Nichols. He grew up mostly in Belgrade, NE enjoying small town living and spending time with sisters and friends. In 1947 he moved to Grand Island, NE and completed his last four years of high school graduating from Grand Island public schools with his high school diploma. In, 1951, after graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving his country during the Korean War stationed in South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming, and Japan from 1951-1955. Don’s military service was especially important to him and gave him a special feeling of service and duty to protect freedoms for others.
In 1956 he married Kay Boroff. To this union four children were born: two daughters, Cyndi and Sheri along with twin boys, Matthew and Markham. He began working for the Grand Island Veteran’s Hospital and retired with a medical disability after eleven years on the job as an orderly and maintenance technician. Later, he was employed for thirteen years as a Corrections Officer with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
In 1985, he married Marcia Gill, his wife and partner for the past thirty-two years. Together they raised granddaughter, Heather Medrano. Attendance at many of Heather’s athletic contents and vacation trips across the country provided lots of fun memories and sightseeing opportunities through the years for both Don and Marcia. Their home in Wood River was the sight of many family gatherings through the years.
Don’s hobbies and enjoyment came from wood working, collecting watches from vending machine excursions always beating the “claw grippers” getting his prize with the first try. Don and daughter Sheri enjoyed many trips to local eateries where they enjoyed conversations and just spending time hanging out and chatting. Daughter Cyndi also enjoyed spending time with her father just talking and cherishing their visits together. Don loved to fish and tell stories of the “big one” that got away, son Markham joined him on many of those fishing adventures just to enjoy each other’s company while they fished and visited. Don, also, loved to watch any military movies he could find on television to see the strategy and stories remembering the sights, sounds of airplanes, types of equipment, and camaraderie he developed with fellow service men during his service abroad while stationed in Japan and Korea. A lifetime special memory was his trip on the 2013 Hall County Hero Korean War Flight to Washington D.C. with son, Matthew, to celebrate memories of his service, the shared experiences with fellow soldiers and seeing the sights of Washington D.C. where he and other Korean War veterans on the trip were honored for their service to our country. Don also loved spending time with family and watching the activities of his family. He enjoyed a sense of humor and often was a jokester, enjoying the telling of the story almost as much as hearing others laugh.
Don, was affiliated with the Alda-Wood River VFW Post 4677 for years and was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans. Additionally, Don was a Master Mason with Cement Lodge 211 of Wood River. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include: wife, Marcia, sons Matthew Nichols of Alda, NE, Markham (Nadine) Nichols of Wood River, NE, daughters Cyndi Nichols of Wood River, NE, and Sheri (Rich) Sherman of Alda, NE. In addition are stepchildren, Todd (Patty) Gill of Omaha, NE, Michele Gill of Norfolk, NE, Heather (Jose) Medrano of Grand Island, NE. Sisters, Dorothy Craven and Betty Smith of Stockton, CA, sister-in-law Rheta Osborne of Hebron, NE, also, 13 grandchildren, 12 great grand-children, many nieces, and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents Clarence Nichols and Alta Haynes, twin brother, Ronald Nichols, sister Lorraine Weigand and brother in laws Ozzie Osborne, Phil Weigand John Smith.
Donald William Nichols, 86, of Wood River, NE passed away on Dec 15, 2017 in the company of family at CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island, NE.
A celebration of life will be held at All Faiths Chapel in Grand Island on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 10 a.m. Pastor Jeff McKearney will officiate. Burial of ashes will follow at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.
Don was born August 20, 1931 in Albion, NE to Clarence and Alta Nichols. He grew up mostly in Belgrade, NE enjoying small town living and spending time with sisters and friends. In 1947 he moved to Grand Island, NE and completed his last four years of high school graduating from Grand Island public schools with his high school diploma. In, 1951, after graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving his country during the Korean War stationed in South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming, and Japan from 1951-1955. Don’s military service was especially important to him and gave him a special feeling of service and duty to protect freedoms for others.
In 1956 he married Kay Boroff. To this union four children were born: two daughters, Cyndi and Sheri along with twin boys, Matthew and Markham. He began working for the Grand Island Veteran’s Hospital and retired with a medical disability after eleven years on the job as an orderly and maintenance technician. Later, he was employed for thirteen years as a Corrections Officer with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
In 1985, he married Marcia Gill, his wife and partner for the past thirty-two years. Together they raised granddaughter, Heather Medrano. Attendance at many of Heather’s athletic contents and vacation trips across the country provided lots of fun memories and sightseeing opportunities through the years for both Don and Marcia. Their home in Wood River was the sight of many family gatherings through the years.
Don’s hobbies and enjoyment came from wood working, collecting watches from vending machine excursions always beating the “claw grippers” getting his prize with the first try. Don and daughter Sheri enjoyed many trips to local eateries where they enjoyed conversations and just spending time hanging out and chatting. Daughter Cyndi also enjoyed spending time with her father just talking and cherishing their visits together. Don loved to fish and tell stories of the “big one” that got away, son Markham joined him on many of those fishing adventures just to enjoy each other’s company while they fished and visited. Don, also, loved to watch any military movies he could find on television to see the strategy and stories remembering the sights, sounds of airplanes, types of equipment, and camaraderie he developed with fellow service men during his service abroad while stationed in Japan and Korea. A lifetime special memory was his trip on the 2013 Hall County Hero Korean War Flight to Washington D.C. with son, Matthew, to celebrate memories of his service, the shared experiences with fellow soldiers and seeing the sights of Washington D.C. where he and other Korean War veterans on the trip were honored for their service to our country. Don also loved spending time with family and watching the activities of his family. He enjoyed a sense of humor and often was a jokester, enjoying the telling of the story almost as much as hearing others laugh.
Don, was affiliated with the Alda-Wood River VFW Post 4677 for years and was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans. Additionally, Don was a Master Mason with Cement Lodge 211 of Wood River. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include: wife, Marcia, sons Matthew Nichols of Alda, NE, Markham (Nadine) Nichols of Wood River, NE, daughters Cyndi Nichols of Wood River, NE, and Sheri (Rich) Sherman of Alda, NE. In addition are stepchildren, Todd (Patty) Gill of Omaha, NE, Michele Gill of Norfolk, NE, Heather (Jose) Medrano of Grand Island, NE. Sisters, Dorothy Craven and Betty Smith of Stockton, CA, sister-in-law Rheta Osborne of Hebron, NE, also, 13 grandchildren, 12 great grand-children, many nieces, and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents Clarence Nichols and Alta Haynes, twin brother, Ronald Nichols, sister Lorraine Weigand and brother in laws Ozzie Osborne, Phil Weigand John Smith.
A celebration of life will be held at All Faiths Chapel in Grand Island on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 10 a.m. Pastor Jeff McKearney will officiate. Burial of ashes will follow at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.
Don was born August 20, 1931 in Albion, NE to Clarence and Alta Nichols. He grew up mostly in Belgrade, NE enjoying small town living and spending time with sisters and friends. In 1947 he moved to Grand Island, NE and completed his last four years of high school graduating from Grand Island public schools with his high school diploma. In, 1951, after graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving his country during the Korean War stationed in South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming, and Japan from 1951-1955. Don’s military service was especially important to him and gave him a special feeling of service and duty to protect freedoms for others.
In 1956 he married Kay Boroff. To this union four children were born: two daughters, Cyndi and Sheri along with twin boys, Matthew and Markham. He began working for the Grand Island Veteran’s Hospital and retired with a medical disability after eleven years on the job as an orderly and maintenance technician. Later, he was employed for thirteen years as a Corrections Officer with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
In 1985, he married Marcia Gill, his wife and partner for the past thirty-two years. Together they raised granddaughter, Heather Medrano. Attendance at many of Heather’s athletic contents and vacation trips across the country provided lots of fun memories and sightseeing opportunities through the years for both Don and Marcia. Their home in Wood River was the sight of many family gatherings through the years.
Don’s hobbies and enjoyment came from wood working, collecting watches from vending machine excursions always beating the “claw grippers” getting his prize with the first try. Don and daughter Sheri enjoyed many trips to local eateries where they enjoyed conversations and just spending time hanging out and chatting. Daughter Cyndi also enjoyed spending time with her father just talking and cherishing their visits together. Don loved to fish and tell stories of the “big one” that got away, son Markham joined him on many of those fishing adventures just to enjoy each other’s company while they fished and visited. Don, also, loved to watch any military movies he could find on television to see the strategy and stories remembering the sights, sounds of airplanes, types of equipment, and camaraderie he developed with fellow service men during his service abroad while stationed in Japan and Korea. A lifetime special memory was his trip on the 2013 Hall County Hero Korean War Flight to Washington D.C. with son, Matthew, to celebrate memories of his service, the shared experiences with fellow soldiers and seeing the sights of Washington D.C. where he and other Korean War veterans on the trip were honored for their service to our country. Don also loved spending time with family and watching the activities of his family. He enjoyed a sense of humor and often was a jokester, enjoying the telling of the story almost as much as hearing others laugh.
Don, was affiliated with the Alda-Wood River VFW Post 4677 for years and was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans. Additionally, Don was a Master Mason with Cement Lodge 211 of Wood River. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include: wife, Marcia, sons Matthew Nichols of Alda, NE, Markham (Nadine) Nichols of Wood River, NE, daughters Cyndi Nichols of Wood River, NE, and Sheri (Rich) Sherman of Alda, NE. In addition are stepchildren, Todd (Patty) Gill of Omaha, NE, Michele Gill of Norfolk, NE, Heather (Jose) Medrano of Grand Island, NE. Sisters, Dorothy Craven and Betty Smith of Stockton, CA, sister-in-law Rheta Osborne of Hebron, NE, also, 13 grandchildren, 12 great grand-children, many nieces, and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents Clarence Nichols and Alta Haynes, twin brother, Ronald Nichols, sister Lorraine Weigand and brother in laws Ozzie Osborne, Phil Weigand John Smith.
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