James Nichols

James B. Nichols, age 83, passed away Sunday, February 8, 2009 at Covenant Healthcare Cooper in Saginaw, following complications from Parkinsons Disease. He was born December 24, 1925 in Kokomo, Indiana, the son of the late James Ermon & Helen Leona (Coleman) Nichols and lived most of his life there. James served with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He flew thirty-one combat missions as a Ball Turret Gunner in a B-17, before his plane was shot down behind enemy lines in Holland. He was hidden away by a local family until he could safely rejoin the American forces. After the war, James was employed with Haynes International in Kokomo for forty-two years, retiring in 1986. For a period of time, he lived in Clermont, Florida before coming to Mayville to his sons home in 2006, due to his declining health. While in Kokomo, he coached Little League Baseball and was a Boy Scout Leader. James will be fondly remembered as a caring family man that loved spending time with his grandchildren. He had many interests that included WWII history, NASCAR and Indy Car Racing, watching Andy Griffith shows and movies. James is survived by three children and their spouses, Janice Nichols of Indianapolis, Indiana, Gary & Beth Nichols of Mayville, Bill & Janelle Nichols of St. Louis, Missouri; the mother of his children, the former Martha Brown Nichols; eight grandchildren and their spouses, Heidi & Ryan Sanchez of Savannah, Georgia, Marie & Kerem Korunmus of Streamwood, Illinois, Ann Nichols of Naperville, Illinois, Katie & James Vagle of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Amy Nichols of Novi, Heather Russell of Kokomo, Indiana, Mike & Joy Nichols of Clermont, Florida, Chas Puntillo of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; four great-grandchildren, Jaedon, Jordan and Elijah Russell of Kokomo, Indiana, Elena Vagle of Minneapolis, Minnesota; one sister and her husband, Jane & Fred Hollis of Franklin, Indiana; one brother-in-law, Bill Heilman of Frankfort, Indiana and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by one sister, Jean Heilman.