Buddy Lee Nickell

Buddy Lee Nickell, 93 of Milan, MO, passed from this life into Heaven on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at Sullivan County Memorial Hospital. He was surrounded by his wife, Vera, local family and listened to loving goodbyes from his family living in the states of Alaska and Washington.
Buddy, was the first of five children born to James Dewey Nickell and Hazel Mary Coon Nickell, born on July 28, 1932, near Milan, Missouri. He attended rural Eggleston Grade School and later graduated from Milan High School in 1951; the largest graduating class Milan ever had. He entered the United States Air Force from 1951, during the Korean War. On July 1, 1953, Buddy married Vera Anne Lewis, of Humphreys, Missouri. They recently celebrated 72 years of marriage.
He worked at farming and, also, in the early 1960's as a USDA Meat Grader at FM Stamper Company in Milan, Missouri, which later became Banquet Foods and then ConAgra Corporation. He retired from there as a supervisor. After that, Bud worked at the Milan livestock auction, where he got to greet a large number of area ranchers and farmers. In later years he enjoyed gardening and caring for his lawn.
Buddy attended the Reger Church of God, and then later the Milan Christian Church. He and Vera enjoyed serving as greeters at their church. Buddy, who as a young adult accepted Jesus as his Savior, loved the Lord God, loved his family and loved his neighbors! In their early married life, they were youth group leaders and are remembered fondly by several adults in our community. He, together with Vera, prayed daily for all their family and extended family, that they would see them all in Heaven one day!
Buddy, along with Vera, showed by example a servant heart by always giving generously and helping wherever needed to their three children and extended family. He was an avid Cardinals fan, along with his good friend Leroy Frazier, and in years past, they discussed many important things such as the weather, sports and community affairs over morning coffee at Richardson's Grocery.
Buddy is survived by his good friend and wife, Vera Anne, of the home, their three children, Brenda (Phirat) Supasatit of Renton, WA, Eric (Danette) Nickell of Milan, MO, Paula (Anthony) Linhart of Milan, MO, exchange student, Victor (Holly) Galicia of Tampa, FL and brother, Bernie (Diana) Nickell of Peculiar, MO, Sister-in-law, Susie Lewis, Platte Woods, MO. Grandchildren are Jasmine (Kerey) Cheap, Fairbanks, AK, Tyson (Peishih) Supasatit, Issaquah, WA, Lancer (Elizabeth) Supasatit, Kent, WA, Nisa (Bryan) Lash, Bellevue, WA, Justin (Trang) Supasatit, Bellevue, WA, Nathan (Brooke) Dodson, Milan, MO, Bethany (Adam) Voight, Columbia, MO, Caleb (Kelsey) Dodson of Kirksville, MO, Joshua Eisenmann, Milan, MO, Jacob (Amanda) Eisenmann and Cassie (David) Norton and Weston (Savanna) Linhart, Milan, MO and many Great-Grandchildren and Great-Great-Grandchildren.
Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, grandson, Jakob Nickell, three sisters: Beverly Massey, Barbara Davis and Beulah Clark and brother-in-law, Max Lewis.
A visitation for Buddy will be held 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Saturday, December 6, 2025 at the Milan Christian Church in Milan, Missouri. A private service will be held later with burial following at Campground Cemetery. Ruschmeier-Smith Funeral Home in Milan is handling the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Campground Cemetery.