Obituary of Joseph F. Nichols

VAN HORNESVILLE Joseph F. Nichols, 66 of 2393 State Route 80, Van Hornesville passed away Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011 at the Albany Straton VA Medical Center where he had been a patient since April 21. He was born on February 9, 1945 in the Town of Herkimer the son of the late Francis M. and Nora (Messmer) Nichols. He was educated in East Herkimer and Dolgeville schools. Mr. Nichols was a veteran of the US Army. He first entered the service on May 6, 1962 as a member of the US Army Reserve. He later re enlisted in the Regular Army where he served until he was honorably discharged as a Private Second Class at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO on April 29, 1977. An avid hunter and outdoorsman he was a member of the North American Hunting, the Cherry Valley Fish and Game Club and the Arbor Day Foundation. Mr. Nichols was employed as a Grade Foreman for the Keller Construction Co., Albany for many years retiring due to ill health. He is survived by his son Todd Nichols (Lisa), Frankfort, and his daughter Trina Graudons, Van Hornesville with whom he resided, two sisters Frances A. Young, Louisiana and Nora M. Bonnell, Little Falls, five grandchildren Todd Nichols, Jr., Brianna Nichols, Trista Jones, Douglas Graudons, Jr. and Trinity Star Darling and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son in law Douglas Graudons Sr., on July 20, 2003. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 10:00 am from the Chapman-Moser Funeral Home, Inc., 42 N. Ann Street, Little Falls with the Rev. Deborah Waldron officiating. Interment will take place in Curtiss Cemetery where military honors will be accorded by the US Army. Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects at the funeral home on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 from 5-8 pm and to attend the funeral services Thursday morning. It is the wish of the family that contributions in memory of Mr. Nichols be considered to the Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410. Envelopes are also available at the funeral home for this purpose.