Eugene Nichols

(Orville) Eugene Nichols was born August 24, 1945, near Appleton City, MO, the 8th of 10 children born to Orville and Bertha (Barker) Nichols. He departed this life on Friday, September 27, in St. Peters, MO, surrounded by his family and loved ones.

Eugene married Nancy Kreissler on August 19, 1966, and to this union, two children were born: Kenneth Nichols of Chesterfield, MO; and Jill (Mecey) of Saint Charles, MO. Eugene was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Appleton City and later transferred his membership to Zion Lutheran Church, Harvester, where he remained a member until his death.

Eugene, who was also known as Nick to friends and co-workers, was a skilled worker who could build or repair just about anything. He and Nancy were a perfect match, because she would come up with the ideas, and he would do all the work—always to perfection! He served a brief stint in the Air Force, and then worked for Ford assembly plant, Boeing, and Peabody Power Mine. After the mine closed, he worked in construction and raised hogs and chocolate labs. He later became the maintenance supervisor for the Appleton City R-II school district, where he worked until his retirement in 2003.

Eugene and Nancy moved to Saint Charles later that year so they could enjoy their retirement with their children and grandchildren. Much of Eugene and Nancy’s married life was spent on bleachers, first cheering on their own children and then their grandchildren in all of their various activities. They also were fortunate to be able to travel to many places in the United States, usually with brother-in-law and sister-in-law Ronnie and Kristine Parks; and a special trip to Europe to visit their exchange students from Sweden and their families.

Eugene was a much-loved neighbor who enjoyed helping others, and he was always appreciative of the help and friendship of his neighbors on Langfield Court. He had the reputation of being able to do just about anything and to compete in any sport he attempted. It would be an insult to him if we didn’t mention that as a middle-school basketball player, he scored 40 of his team’s 42 game points; and when Nancy took a summer of tennis lessons in college, she challenged him to a tennis match. He’d never held a racket in his life, but he beat her soundly, and they never played again. His other hobbies included fishing, hunting, gardening, and watching sports, especially the Missouri Tigers and the Saint Louis Cardinals.

Those who remain to mourn his passing are wife Nancy of the home, son Kenneth and daughter-in-law Michelle Nichols of Chesterfield, MO; daughter Jill and son-in-law Greg Mecey of Saint Charles; grandchildren Kelea (Kaleb) Kinsman of Willard MO; Cole, Reed and Morgan Nichols of Chesterfield, MO; Drew Mecey of Denver, CO; Ryan and Kyle Mecey of Saint Charles; great grandchildren Elija, Owen, and Chase Maddux; and Lily and Ezrick Kinsman, all of Willard, MO. Sisters Ellen (Kent) Higgins; Beulah Conner; Geraldine (Bill) Brownsberger; and Connie Mott, all of Appleton City, MO; and lifetime friend Mike (Dee) Bowles of Arizona. Also surviving are his two Swedish “sons,” Carl-Magnus (Johanna) Unell and Jonas (Shellie) Unell. Carl and Jonas arrived as exchange students but soon because honorary lifetime members of our family. Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers Glen and Wilbur Nichols; sisters Doris Nichols, Marie Brown, and Delores Bracher. Numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends from both sides of the state survive to laugh and tell stories about one of their best friends ever.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the American Red Cross to honor those who donate blood to benefit others. This selfless act blessed us with 10 more years to enjoy our loved one.