The funeral services for LeRoy Nichols, 84, Dickinson, are at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dickinson, with the Rev. Steven D. Tangen and the Rev. Lisa Lewton officiating.
Burial is in the North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery, Mandan.
Visitation is from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7, 2007, at Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.
LeRoy passed away Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007, at his home in Dickinson.
LeRoy Leonard Nichols was born Nov. 13, 1923, to Walter and Amy (Kittleson) Nichols in Reeder. He completed his grammar schooling and graduated from Reeder High School in 1941. LeRoy then attended Dickinson State Teachers College for one year prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Force in 1943.
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LeRoy was a trained gunner and engineer on a B-26 bomber.
In August 1944, he was sent to Ireland and later to France. LeRoy took part in the Battle of the Bulge and completed 35 missions and received the presidential citation, air medal and six oak leaf clusters.
In September 1946, he married Frances "Pet" Anderson. After their marriage, he returned to Dickinson State Teachers College for two years and in March 1948, he took over the management of the Farmers Union Grocery Store in Reeder.
In 1954, LeRoy returned to DSC to finish his teaching degree before the couple moved to Elgin, where he taught and coached for four years. LeRoy's 1955 football team was the nine-man World Champions.
The family moved to Grand Forks while LeRoy earned his masters degree from UND.
From there, they moved to Langdon where he taught and coached for eight years.
In 1968, they moved to Dickinson where they have made their home ever since.
LeRoy retired from teaching in1986.
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LeRoy spent many years officiating and coaching athletics.
He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, SARTA, NSTA, NEA, Blue Hawk Boosters, Community Center, DSU Alumni Association, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church as well as a charter member of the Reeder and Elgin Lions Clubs.
LeRoy was honored with a lifetime pass to the DHS Midgets and WDA and a life member of the Elks.
LeRoy was very proud of his association with the 391st Bomb Group.
LeRoy was a very loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, who will be missed by all.
He is survived by his wife, Pet; five daughters, Linda McArthur of LaCrescent, Minn., Linette (Alan) Olson, Bismarck, Sheila Nichols, LaCrescent, Sally Hought, LaQuinta, Calif., and Sandy (Don) Peterson, LaCrescent; two brothers, Elwyn (Vivian) Nichols, Reeder, and Jerry (Alida) Nichols, Summerfield, Fla.; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
He is preceded by both of his parents; son, Leslie; and brother, Ray Nichols.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.stevensonfuneralhome.com .
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(Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson)
