Cecil O. Nichols

Cecil O. Nichols, 92, of Greencastle died on Monday, June 22, 2009.

He was born on Sept. 28, 1916 in Fillmore to Ira U. and Nellie F. Zeiner Nichols.

Mr. Nichols was a 1935 graduate of Fillmore High School. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II, including service at Normandy. A tool and die maker by trade, he had worked at Stewart Warner in Indianapolis and retired from IBM. Cecil was a long time member of Greencastle Christian Church, life member of VFW, a 50-year member of American Legion, and a long time member of the Greencastle Masonic Lodge.

Surviving are his wife of 72 years, Frances; two daughters, Rita Nichols and husband Fred Wilbur of Rochester Mills, Pa. and Carol Childs and husband Mead of Yorktown, Va.; two sisters, Lela Richardson and husband Jack of Indianapolis and Mary Alice Harcourt and husband Russell of Fillmore; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

His parents and three brothers, Orla, Carl and Lawrence Nichols preceded him in death.

Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in the Chapel of Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home (formerly Chandler-Hays Funeral Home), 4 Percy L. Julian Drive, with Pastor Mark Miller officiating. Entombment with Military Honors will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home, with a Masonic service at 7 p.m.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.Hopkins-Rector.com.

From 1964 to 1985, Cecil and Frances built and operated Edgewood Lake. Many people have fond memories of swimming, fishing, campfires and hay rides there.

Cecil will be forever remembered for his zest for life. Cecil lived his life as an adventure and shared that zest with everyone who knew him. He loved flying, fishing, bowling, farming, woodworking, motorcycle riding, and playing the guitar.