Janice Nichols

KANSAS – Janice L. Nichols, 81, of Kansas, passed away Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon.

The funeral service honoring her life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 28, 2017 at the Kansas Christian Church, 110 N. Franklin, Kansas, with Bret Hammond, Michael Nichols, and Mark Nichols officiating.  Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, rural Kansas.  Visitation will be Friday evening from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the church.  Memorials in her honor may be directed to Kansas Christian Church Missions – African Leaders.  Arrangements: Harper-Swickard.

Janice was born June 28, 1936 at Bloomington, Illinois, daughter of Elmer O'Dell Everett and Lillian Lucille (Brittin) Everett.  She married E. Edward Nichols, March 31, 1956 at LeRoy, Illinois; he survives.  Also surviving are their children: David (Dena) Nichols of Westfield, Michael (Julie) Nichols of Mt. Pulaski, IL, Steve Nichols of Paris, IL, and Mark (Carol) Nichols of Kansas.  Eight grandchildren: Amy Nichols, Chad Nichols, Jeremiah (Elana) Nichols, Sarah (Jake) Tierney, Jason (Chelsea) Nichols, Samantha (Josh) Center, Josiah (Cassandra) Nichols, and Michelle (Thomas) Rieke.  Three great-grandchildren: Gwen Tierney, Everett Tierney, and Lydia Nichols, as well as one sister: Joan Weil of Festus, MO, also survive.  She was preceded in death by her parents.

Janice was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  She was a member of the Kansas Christian Church.  Janice loved to read, and was an author, writing songs and poetry. She opened the family home to many children over the years, who just needed someone to love and look out for them.  Janice ministered, alongside her husband Ed at the Sidney Christian Church, the Potomac Christian Church, and the State Line Christian Church of rural Paris.  She and Ed were also missionaries with the American Indian Christian Mission and African Christian Mission.  While in Zaire, she helped translate the Old Testament into the Swahili language.