Omer W. Nichols

1926 - 07

Omer W. Nichols, 81, of Greensburg, died Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, in Excela Health Latrobe Hospital. He was born July 14, 1926, in Jeannette, the son of the late Mirza Douglas and Mary Dorothy (Priest) Nichols. Omer was a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, with a mechanical engineering degree, and had served in the Army during World War II in the Philippines. He was a retired employee of Kennametal of Latrobe. He was a member and past master of Philanthropy Lodge 225 F&AM in Greensburg and a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Pittsburgh, Tall Cedars of Lebanon Forest 77, Syria Shrine, and various other Masonic groups, and was in charge of the lay speakers for the United Methodist Church for 28 years, along with being a very active member of the First United Methodist Church in Greensburg. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Clara Nichols. Surviving are his loving wife, Jean Hollingsworth Nichols; a daughter, Carol Connell and husband, Michael, of Michigan; a son, Curt Nichols and wife, Debbie, of Harrisburg; two sisters, Evelyn Harrold and husband, Lew, and Vivian Starns and husband, Bob, all of Texas; five grandchildren, Patrick, Matthew, Ian and wife Annie, Brian and wife Erin, and Craig; and three great-grandchildren. Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the KEPPLE-GRAFT FUNERAL HOME INC., 524 N. Main St., Greensburg (724-837-1201). A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in the First United Methodist Church, 15 E. Second St., Greensburg, with the Rev. Dr. Duane Morford officiating. (Please go directly to the church.) Entombment will be in St. Clair Cemetery. Members of Philanthropy Lodge 225 F&AM will conduct Masonic services at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Omer's family has requested memorial contributions be made to the First United Methodist Church. Terence L. Graft, funeral director, is entrusted with arrangements. Condolences and online information www.kepple-graft.com.