Donald E. Nickles

ELK POINT, S.D. -- Donald E. Nickles, 75, of Elk Point died Saturday, July 3, 2010, at his residence following a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elk Point, with the Rev. David Roehrich officiating. Burial will be in Elk Point Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the Elk Point American Legion. Visitation with the family will be 5 to 8 p.m. today, with a vigil service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel in Sioux City.

Donald E. Nickles was born Nov. 6, 1934, in Yankton, S.D., the son of Jack and Lorena (Eidenshink) Nickles. He was raised in the Yankton and Elk Point areas and graduated from Elk Point High School in 1952. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict.

Don married Sharron Freeman on Aug. 2, 1958, in Elk Point. She died in December 1995. Don owned and operated Nickles Garage in Elk Point for many years with his father and brothers. After selling the garage, he worked for Marquadt Transportation in Yankton. After he retired, he drove the school bus in Elk Point.

He was a longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He was a volunteer firefighter for the Elk Point Fire Department for many years. He helped start the ambulance service in Elk Point and was the ambulance director and an EMT. He was a member of the American Legion in Elk Point. He enjoyed yard work and gardening and did volunteer work at the nursing home for many years. He started sky diving at the age of 70. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include a daughter, Kelly and her husband, Scott Staum of Elk Point; a son, Keith Nickles and Cammie of Elk Point; eight grandchildren, Katie and her husband, Paddy Rigg, Ryan Kayl, Laura Staum, Aaron Staum, Cachelle, Bailie, McKenzie and Ramzie; two great-grandchildren, Owen and Jack Rigg; his special friend, Candy Ross of Elk Point; his mother-in-law, Malvina Guinther of Sioux City; three sisters-in-law, Joan Berger of Sioux City, Kay Nickles of Yankton and Wilma Strand of Elk Point; a brother-in-law, Tom Freeman and his wife, Vicki of Sioux City; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sharron; two brothers, Ernie and Gaylon Nickles; and two brothers-in-law, Robert Berger and Jack Freeman.

Pallbearers will be Ryan Kayl, Aaron Staum, Paddy Rigg, Larry Nickles, Larry Wilcox, and Gary Nickles. Honorary pallbearers will be the other grandchildren and great-grandchildren.