Dennis J. Nicholas

Dennis James Nicholas, M.D. 87, of Indianapolis, Indiana passed away March 11, 2008. He was born on January 30, 1921 in Wood River, Illinois and was raised in Rockville, Indiana. He graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Chemistry in 1942. From 1943 to 1946, Dr. Nicholas served his country in World War II in the U.S. Air Force. He graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1951. For most of his professional career, Dr. Nicholas practiced at St. Francis Hospital in Beech Grove, Indiana as an anesthesiologist. He served as Marion County Coroner for numerous terms from 1960 - 1992. Other professional and political activities included: Indianapolis Police-Fire Merit Board, 1967 - 1969; President, Indiana State Coroners Association 1964, 1975, 1976, and 1978; President, St. Francis Hospital Medical Staff, 1976; Chairman, Mayor's Inaugural Committee for Richard G. Lugar, 1971; Member, Comprehensive Health Planning Council, 1974; Chairman, Mayor's Inaugural Committee for William Hudnut, 1975; Delegate to several Indiana State Republican Conventions; Chairman, Indiana Reagan & Reagan-Bush Committee, 1976, 1980, 1984; Treasurer, Indiana 11th Congressional District, 1980-1981; Treasurer, Bob Orr for Governor Committee, 1979; Member, Indiana State Medical Legislative Committee, 1979-1980; Executive Committee, Greater Indianapolis Republican Finance Committee; Member, National Steering Committee, Citizens for the Republic, 1977-1980; Member, National Reagan for President Committee, 1979-1980; Delegate, Republican National Convention, 1976 and 1980; Medical Director, Reagan-Bush, National Convention, 1980 and 1984; Alternate Delegate, Republican National Convention, 1984 and 1988; National Advisory Council to the Public Health service of HHS 1982-1984; Member, Board of Trustees, Indiana State Museum, 1982-1986; Chairman, Sites Committee, Indiana State Museum, 1982-1986; Chairman, Indiana State Museum Foundation; Member, Board of Directors AHEPA HUD Project 202; Chairman, Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Science Agency; Dr. Nicholas helped establish the forensic laboratory in Marion County, which bears his name; Indiana State Vice-Chairman, Bush for President Committee, 1988; Member, National Bush for President Committee; Chairman, O'Laughlin for State Treasurer Committee, 1984 & 1988. His wife Marguerite and brother Victor, preceded him in death. He will be missed by his brother Virgil Nicholas of Indianapolis and sons James Nicholas of Fishers and Michael Nicholas of Indianapolis. Grandchildren Celeste, Cole and Chase Nicholas, have many precious memories of their grandfather. He was also blessed with nephews Theodore and Anthony Nicholas of Indianapolis and Debbie Nicholas Chaitman of New York and 8 great nephews and nieces. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2008 at Flanner & Buchanan Funeral Center- Broad Ripple, where a eulogy will be read by Former Senator Dr. Larry Borst at 7 p.m. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 14, 2008 at Barnes-Spangler Funeral Home in Rockville, Indiana, where friends may call from 1 p.m. until the service time. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Rockville, Indiana. Condolences may be made online at: www.flannerbuchanan.com