Edward Samuel Nicholas, one of 10 children of Norman Abraham Nicholas and Ella Mae Robinson Nicholas, was born Dec. 20, 1933, on his parents’ farm southwest of Rippey, Iowa, and died suddenly at the Dallas County Hospital in Perry, Iowa, March 28, 2017.
Ed was 83 years, 3 months and 8 days old.
A Celebration Of Life service was held at 1 p.m. Monday, April 3 at Hastings Funeral Home in Perry. The Rev. Charles Compton of the Perry Bible Church provided words of comfort. Burial was in Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry. A time of refreshments and fellowship was held at the funeral home lounge.
Ed attended grade school in Dawson, Iowa, and graduated from the Jamaica High School in 1953.
Ed was united in marriage with Wilma Noack Deavers Feb. 21, 1959, in Omaha, Neb. They were parents of two daughters, Vicky and Carla.
Ed was a plumber by trade and received his early education from Short Ellis, his mentor and father-figure. Ed worked for a time with Siglin Heating and Plumbing before purchasing Short’s truck and equipment to start his own business, Nicholas Plumbing and Heating in Perry.
He was always available to help out his girls and friends.
Ed was baptized in the First Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School for a time.
When he had free time, Ed enjoyed his family, hunting, fishing and was a super mushroom hunter. His mushroom bounty was great enough that he could even sell some by the pound.
Ed enjoyed television.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Wilma, in 2008; daughter, Vicky Johnson, in 2011; sister, Alice Naylor; brothers, William “Bill” and his wife, Karen; infant brothers, Wayne and Robert; sons-in-law, George Uken, Clyde Wilson Jr. and Brian Fox.
Ed is survived by his daughter, Carla Fox of Centerville, Iowa; grandchildren, Chad (Heidi) Wilson of Des Moines, Dorothy Uken-Smith of Ankeny, Jen Uken of Texas and Henry Uken; great-grandchildren, Malorie Smith, Nicolas Wilson, Andrew Wilson and Caleb Uken; son-in-law, Denny Johnson of Des Moines; sisters, Norma Hull of Perry and Donna Young of Sylmar, Calif.; brothers, Daniel (Pat) of Daytona, Fla., Harold of Kansas City, Mo., and Frank of New Jersey; many nieces and nephews; and special friend, Edith Hefflefinger of Perry.
Memorials may be sent in his name to Hastings Funeral Home, P.O. Box 204, Perry, IA 50220.
