Gordon William Nichols

CLEAR LAKE - Gordon William Nichols, 77, of 906 S. Third St., Clear Lake, died Wednesday (Aug. 11, 2010) after a long, courageous battle with cancer at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, surrounded by his family. Per his wishes he will be cremated.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 17, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dennis Ganz officiating. An inurnment will be at the Clear Lake Cemetery.
Visitation will begin one hour before the service.
Memorials may be given to the Gordon W. Nichols Memorial Fund.
Gordon was born on Oct. 13, 1932 in Mason City, the son of Willis and Lila (Herington) Nichols. He graduated from Clear Lake High School. He married Ruth Palmer on July 23, 1949, in Garner. Gordon worked at the Clear Lake Bakery for 19 years. He then drove for the Purolator Courier for 19 years. They moved in 1986 to Arlington, Texas, where he worked for the City of Arlington as a supervisor in the maintenance department. In 1993, they moved back to Clear Lake. He worked for Midwest Janitorial part-time until he retired at age 76 due to health. He enjoyed painting saw blades and pictures and fishing.
Gordon is survived by five children, Bonnie Bendickson and her husband Ron, Peggy Wilcox-Nichols, Bill Nichols, Chad Nichols and Angel Hepperly, all of Clear Lake; nine grandchildren, Jeremy (Summer) Bendickson, Buck (Lisa) Bendickson, Paula (Jim) Odgen, Dena Wilcox, Corey, Colby and Michael Nichols, Megan and Justin Hepperly; ten great grandchildren, Taylor, Deseria, Parker, Wyatt, Devan, Avery, Jake, Damon, Sydney and Zach; and one brother, John Nichols, and his wife Karen, Clear Lake.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Ruth, Aug. 22, 2009; brothers, Willie Nichols and Chuck Nichols; sister, Darlene Kline; infant twin sons; and son-in-law Willy Wilcox.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake, IA 50428, 641-357-2193.
www.colonialchapels.com.