Richard "Dick" L. Nichols

Richard "Dick" L. Nichols, 74, of Cambridge, IL passed away at his home on March 9, 2023. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Cambridge, IL.   Father John Zilimu will celebrate.  Burial will follow at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Woodhull, IL.   A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel. A Recitation of the Rosary will be held promptly at 7 p.m., following the visitation at the funeral home.  Memorials may be directed St. Jude Research Hospital, C/O Memorials Processing 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959, and South Side Mission of Peoria, 603 E. War Memorial Drive, Peoria, IL, 61614.

Richard was born in Galesburg, IL on March 6, 1949, the son of Lawrence and Mildred (Smith) Nichols. He Attended and graduated from Alwood High School in 1967 and went on to get his associate degree in Agricultural Business at Black Hawk College. He proudly served in the United States Army, leaving after faithful service as a Sergeant in 1976. Richard married Ruthann Whelchel on August 21, 2012. Dick spent most of his life farming in rural Alpha, IL. In his free time, he enjoyed gardening, skiing and other outdoor activities. He was a hardworking man who liked to share.  He loved his family, and especially his grand puppies.

Those left to cherish his memory include is wife, Ruthann of Cambridge; son, Kevin Nichols of Woodhull, IL; daughters, Jennifer (Shane) Keever of Alpha, IL, and Kelly Nichols of Plano, TX; sisters Donna (Larry) Palmer of Galesburg, IL, Sharon Grabill of Galesburg, IL; grandchildren Alexandre Barth, Derrick Barth, Jarica Barth, Joseph Keever, Elliana Keever, Samuel Keever, Saraya Nichols, Kyra Nichols, and Damien Nichols; great grandchildren William Newland, Fynn Barth, Cian Barth, and Shelby Barth; and adoring grand puppy Remi.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Mildred; son Jeffrey; and sisters, Delores Welch and Mary Meeker.