Charles Nickels

May 22, 1931 - October 27, 2013

Charles J. Nickels, 82, of rural Brownstown, IL passed away at 6:48am, Sunday, October 27, 2013 at his home. Services for Mr. Nickels will be held at 11:00am, Thursday, October 31, 2013 at Hohlt & File Funeral Home, Vandalia with Rev. Wes Bell officiating.  Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to the Vandalia Crawford-Hale American Legion Post # 95. Charles was born on May 22, 1931 in Vandalia, the son of Clifford and Mary (Strauch) Nickels. He was in the US Army and served during the Korean War.  He married Loretta M. (Cole) Nickels on July 16, 1949 in the parsonage home of the First Baptist Church of Vandalia.  Throughout his life Charles worked for worked for 11 years at Johnson, Stephens & Shinkle Shoe Factory; 2 years at Allen Plumbing; and 21 years at John Crane Packing. He was a member of Four Mile Christian Church; Vandalia Crawford-Hale American Legion Post # 95 and Brownstown VFW Post #9770. Mr. Nickels is survived by his wife Loretta of Brownstown; daughter Sharon and husband JR Mc Daniel of Indianapolis, IN; brothers Robert Nickels and Gary Nickels both of St. Elmo; granddaughters Crystal and husband Tracey Goodin and Tina Sprague; and great grandchildren Bryten Sprague, Kasten Sprague, Corten Sprague, Je-Cobe Rogers, and Elizibeth Goodin. He was preceded in death by his father; mother; step-mother Hulda Nickels; and brother Kenneth Nickels.