Robert Tom Nickel

Robert ?Tom? Nickel, age 89, of Kearney died Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at the Mount Carmel Nursing Home in Kearney.Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, February 8, 2010 at 10:30 A.M. at the St. James Catholic Church with Father Joe Hannappel and Father Tom Mullowney officiating.Burial will be at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Axtell.Military rites will be provided at the grave by the Nebraska National Guard Military Honors Team, the Wilcox American Legion, and the Hildreth V.F.W. Christian Wake Service will be Sunday, February 7, 2010 at 6:00 P.M. at St. James Catholic Church.Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. at the Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Service and one hour prior to services on Monday at the church.Memorials are suggested to the Wilcox Volunteer Fire Department or the Wilcox American Legion.A message of condolence, tribute or memory can be left at www.hlhmortuary.com. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Service of Kearney are in charge of arrangements. Tom was born August 4, 1920 in Axtell to Ferdinand ?Bud? and Katherine (Shanahan) Nickel.He graduated from Kearney High School in 1938.He attended government welding school in Wichita, Kansas.Tom moved to California in August on 1940 and worked as a welder at Lockhead working on P 38 and B 17 war planes for the Army.He married Pauline Mintun on February 2, 1942 in Burbank, California.Tom enlisted in the Army in July of 1944 and served until 1946.After the service Tom and Pauline moved south of Kearney where he farmed for 25 years.He then welded at Rockwell for 18 years, and worked as a plumber at Gibbon plumbing for 11 years.He retired in 1994.During retirement Tom spent his time doing carpentry, making cradles and rocking horses for his grandchildren, and traveling the west coast.He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.He was a member of St. James Catholic Church, a third degree Knights of Columbus, Wilcox Volunteer Fire Department officer life member of the V.F.W and Legion clubs. Surviving Relatives: Wife Pauline Nickel of Kearney, NE Sons Bob and Lana Nickel of Champaign, IL Dennis and Ardie Nickel of Axtell, NE Dan and Diane Nickel of Lincoln, NE Daughters: Sue and Ron Woollen of Wilcox, NE Julie and Stuart Rubin of Aurora, CO Mary and Phil Harris of Lincoln, NE Deb Nickel of Kearney, NE Diane and Jim Ketelsen of Garland, NE Brothers: Leo and Jane Nickel of Torrington, WY Bernard Nickel of Kearney, NE 19 Grandchildren and 26 Great Grandchildren Tom was preceded death by his parents 1 sister, 3 brothers and 2 grandchildren PDF Printable Version

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Robert Tom Nickel

August 4, 1920 - February 3, 2010