Merrill H. “5 Cents” Nichols, 86, Marion, died Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013, in the VA Northern Indiana Healthcare System. He was born Aug. 19, 1926 in Delmar, Del., to the late William J. and Sally (Hitchen) Nichols. Merrill married Joanna Pence on Oct. 2, 1965, and she survives.
He was a veteran of the United States Army-Air Force and served in World War II from 1943 to 1946. He served one year of that time in the South Pacific.
He retired as a supervisor from General Motors in December 1986 and had previously worked as a truck driver.
He was a life member of Deer Creek Conservation Club and the NRA. He was a member of Van Buren American Legion, Gas City Moose Lodge and the CPC Sympathy Club. Merrill was a past stock holder of Deer Creek Realty Corp. and enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing euchre.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Joanna Nichols, Marion; son, Merrill H. (Jane) Nichols Jr., Van Buren; daughter-in-law, Beth J. Nichols, Peru; 10 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; siblings-in-law, Treva Surface, Ted Pence, Dorothy Jones, Elizabeth Murphy, Merlaya (James) Heckman and Maureen Yount; many nieces and nephews; and close friend, Bryan C. (Tammy) Griffith.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Sally Nichols; son, Boyce Jacob Nichols; stepdaughter, Melanie Stahl; brothers, Earl, James and Raymond Nichols; sister, Helen Brittingham; and three great-great grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, Storey Chapel, 400 E. Main St., Gas City. Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with Pastor Marcus Combs officiating.
Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Greentown.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to all of the staff at Marion VA Northern Indiana HCS for their care and compassion.
Memorial donations may be made to Special Olympics, 6100 W. 96th St., Suite 270, Indianapolis, IN 46278 or Van Buren American Legion, 7595 E. 450 North, Van Buren, IN 46991 or the D.A.V., 1700 E. 38th St., Building 124, Room 135, Marion, IN 46953.
Online condolences may be made at www.nswcares.com.
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