Charles David Ickes

Charles David Ickes, owner of the Wooden Nickel

OLEAN - Charles David Ickes, of 322 S. Barry St., passed away Wednesday (Dec. 31, 2025) at Cuba Memorial Hospital. He had been suffering for over three years with Parkinson's Disease and other complications.

David was born Sept. 12, 1943, at home in Brookeville, Pa., the son of Florence Osborne.

When David was a child, the family moved to Bradford, Pa., where his mother, Florence and stepfather, Stanley Doleski, raised him. David graduated from Bradford High School.

David started working at age 17. During his summer vacations he stayed in Olean and worked at Socony Vacuum.

David owned his first business called Valley Farms in Olean. The business delivered milk and other dairy products to homes, schools and businesses in Cattaraugus County for 11 years. Several people from the Olean Area helped David with the deliveries.

David was best known for his next business, which he owned and operated, The Wooden Nickel Lounge, located at 816 W. State St. This structure was at one time a hospital which took seven months to renovate, a lot of which was done by himself. Once finished, there were 13 rooms as apartments; a fine place to meet friends and share a drink. The Wooden Nickel Lounge was opened from March 1973 to October 1985.

David also had a small shop to get a few snacks called The Big Top. The famous seller was a hot dog called the "Whistle Pig." In the 70s David sponsored a team in the Olean softball league with the Wooden Nickel Logo.

David was an avid Buffalo Bills and St. Bonaventure Basketball fan. He loved NASCAR and stock car racing. His favorite was always Dale Earnhart Jr. David attended many Daytona races to see Dale Sr. and was even present when Dale Sr did his last race.

David often loved to hunt. He went hunting in New York and Pennsylvania  many times. The stories he told about hunting in Alaska were very thrilling.

David is survived by his loving companion of over 20 years and caretaker for the last three, Donna Ripley Gabler; his children, Theresa (Frank Scicchitano) Ickes of Olean, Kelli (John) Vanini of Florida and Charles Ickes of Olean; grandchildren, Nick (Amber) Mowery, Justin Grabow, Abbi Grabow Hendrickson, Jack (Amanda) Truman and Naudia Macklin; and great-grandchildren, Nixon, Easton and Weslyn Mowery, Jagger and Bo Hendrickson, and Charli and Alice Truman. He is further survived by his brother, Gary and Linda Ickes; sister, Carol and Robert Riddle; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Thanks to the great care and kindness of first Dr. Cox and Staff at Olean Medical Group and second to the staff at Olean General Hospital and the Cuba Extended Care Facility. Also, to good friends Mike Jennings, Jim Swanson, Jack Truman Sr., Fran Tripodi, Mel Duggan, Jim Webb and Kay Macklin Cooney.

A memorial gathering will be held at a date and time to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Parkinson's Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018; or to the Kidney Foundation of WNY, 4444 Bryant and Stratton Way, Williamsville, NY 14221.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State St., Olean.

Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com.