Darwin 'Nick' Nichols

Darwin E. "Nick" Nichols of Naubinway was an iron worker most of his life, and retired in his 70s. He worked on the Mackinac Bridge and the Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie. His trade took him beyond the Eastern Upper Peninsula, as he also worked on the Alaska pipeline, the Space Needle in Seattle, Washington, Tilden Mine in the western Upper Peninsula, Drummond Island Dolomite, and several other projects. He sailed on Great Lakes boats before his service in World War II.

Mr. Nichols died at his home early Tuesday morning, April 29, 2008, at age 86.

He was born September 27, 1921, in Cadillac, and he grew up in St. Ignace. His parents were Walter and Josephine (nee Bashor) Nichols.

He was graduated from LaSalle High School in St. Ignace. He joined the United States Marine Corps October 3, 1942, and served as a sergeant. During World War II he served at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, and was discharged January 11, 1946, at Great Lakes, Illinois.

Mr. Nichols was a member of Moose Lodge 999 in St. Ignace, and the St. Ignace American Legion Post.

He married Shirley Snyder October 6, 1975, in Ishpeming, and she survives him.

He is also survived by two sons and their families, Donovan and Debbie White of Cheboygan, and Eddie of Gladstone; three daughters and their families, Dolly Pascagoula of Mississippi, Kathy and Pat Grondin of Powers, and Dawn and Mike Walden of Powers; stepchildren and their families, Beth and Richard Majioska of McMillan, Linda and Howard Shearer of McMillan, Debbie White of Cheboygan, Renee Kerns of Naubinway, Nanette Biang of Gladstone, Shirley Courtney of Ionia, and Caroline Brown of Newberry; 28 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Genevieve Jonas, and a brother, Edwin Nichols.

Graveside services will be Saturday, May 10, at 1 p.m. at Lakeside Cemetery in St. Ignace. The St. Ignace American Legion will conduct military honors.

Dodson Funeral Home of St. Ignace assisted the family with arrangements.