Francis L. Nichols
Dec. 12, 1920-Aug. 17, 2001
Niles Daily Star (Niles, Michigan), Saturday, August 18, 2001, page 2, col. 1
Francis L. “Nick” Nichols
1920-2001
Funeral services for Francis L. “Nick” Nichols, 80, of 203 Carberry Road, Niles, are Monday at 2 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral home, Niles, by the Rev. Fred T. Smith, pastor of South Niles Community Church.
Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
Nichols died Friday at 5 am. at Lakeland Specialty Hospital, Berrien Center, following an extended illness.
He was born Dec. 12, 1920, in Niles and lived here all his life.
On Dec. 16, 1941, in Niles, he was married to the former Dorothy Ann Frederick, who preceded him in death on Nov. 9, 1986.
Nichols was retired from Hunziker's Inc. of Niles after 41 years of service.
At Hunziker's, Nichols was proud of helping with some of the landscaping at the University of Notre Dame and several other prominent projects.
In retirement, he maintained a private nursery at his home, including some rare species of flowers, trees and shrubs, as well as vegetables, which he shared with family and friends.
Nichols also enjoyed building and painting bird houses, which he gave away, and was always pleased to answer landscaping and horticultural questions.
Survivors include a daughter, Rosalie Baker, of Silver City, New Mexico; step-son, Leroy Frederick of Tampa, Fla.; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothy Siekman of Buchanan and Phyllis Ballard of Niles; a brother, Norman Nichols; and several nieces and nephews, including Mary Ellen Ickes, who has provided his care.
Friends may call on Monday beginning at 1 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.