Kenneth R. Nichols, Sr.

Kenneth R. Nichols, Sr.; of Tilton and Chrisman IL, and formerly of Dade City FL; departed this earthly life on Thursday, April 27, 2023 at OSF Hospital in Urbana IL after a lengthy illness.

Kenny was born to Harold Caspar and Frances Joan (Henderson) Nichols on December 28, 1945. Kenny was married to Sandra Nutter in 1966 until her death August 1984. He married Pamela Carrell January 7, 2000 in Las Vegas. She survives.

Kenny is survived by his daughters, Lisa (Larry) Henson of Chrisman IL and Cindy (George) Guthrie of Grovetown GA; and step-children Steven (Kim) Carrell, Clinton Weir, and Stephanie (Jeffrey) Donithan of Danville IL. He is survived by a special granddaughter, Hope Weir, of Urbana IL, whom he raised and introduced as “Our Baby.”

Kenny is survived by 19 grandchildren and step-grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; 3 sisters, Patti Lunger and Valarie Kinnaman of Chrisman IL, and Ethel Nichols of FL; a special uncle, Jimmy Nichols of Ridge Farm IL; his father-in-law whom he loved and respected, G. Howard (Peggy) Carrell of Danville IL; many cousins across the United States; and dear friends, Larry and Tammy Walker of Tilton IL, and Ray Robison of Chrisman IL. Kenny touched the lives of many children along his earthly journey and left a positive influence and lasting impression on them.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife; son, Sgt. Kenneth R. Nichols, Jr.; sister, Brenda Buckley; and brother, Jeff Denton.

Kenny served in the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside CA; Hawaii; Chu Lai, Vietnam; and lastly at Naval Base Kitsap, Bremerton WA during the Vietnam War. Following honorable discharge, Kenny was the owner-operator and broker of K. R. Nichols & Son Trucking.

Kenny was a lifetime member of the VFW; a member of the Chrisman American Legion Post 477 where he was an Honor Guard member; a member of 40 & 8, American Legion Riders where he participated in the annual Legacy Run, Patriot Guard Riders of IL, and the Georgetown Masonic Lodge. He previously served on the Georgetown Youth Football Board. He loved watching and supporting Westville Youth Football and Westville High School football games and Chrisman Cardinals basketball. He enjoyed playing Texas Hold Em with his buddies and eating breakfast with the “Old Farts Club” at VIPS. He was a man who needed to move around and could not sit still in one place long unless he had an endless cup of black coffee and good friends to talk to.

Per Kenny's request, there will be no visitation or flowers, please. He will be escorted from Rortvedt Funeral Home in Tilton IL to Danville National Cemetery for graveside services on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 1:00 P.M. He will be laid to rest near his beloved son. Escort to DNC will be provided by Region 4 Patriot Guard Riders of IL and Westville American Legion RidersPost 51 with military honors provided by Chrisman American Legion Post 477 Honor Guard. Pastor Troy Warner of Chrisman Christian Church will officiate.

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