NICHOLSON, Don E. - b. September 22, 1921 - d. March 28, 2023

[patyrn]

Don E. Nicholson, age 101, of West Manchester Township died March 28, 2023 at Country Meadows Trolley Road in York, Pennsylvania. Born in Moline, Kansas on September 22, 1921, he was the son of Ray A. and Marie (Walker) Nicholson. 

Don was a 1939 graduate of Moline High School and an Engineering student at Kansas State University in Manahattan, Kansas when he joined the Army Air Corp in 1943 as a B-17 navigator.  In September 1944 during his 23rd combat mission, his plane was shot down over Germany, and he became a P.O.W. for 8 months.  After his liberation in May 1945, he returned to Kansas, completed his Engineering degree, and began a long career with Standard Oil Company, residing in the Alton/Godfrey, Illinois area for 64 years.

Don was united in marriage to Betty June Wicker with whom he shared over 77 years of marriage. He was active as an elder, deacon, trustee, and Sunday School Superintendent of the 12th Street Presbyterian Cbhurch in Alton, Illinois.  He was involved with the PTA Association, Indian Guides program, Junior Achievement, and was an active Rotary Club member.  In retirement, his passions included travel, gardening, and woodworking.

Don is survived by his wife, Betty June Nicholson; his daughter, Kathy N. (David) Keperling of York, Pennsylvania, his son, Don Alan Nicholson of Fawn Grove, Pennsylvania; five grandchildren, Ryan Keperling, Amanda Kropp, Kyle Keperling, David Nicholson, and Lisa Mercado; 8 great-grandchlldren; and his sister, Jetta Rae Shaw.  He is preceded in dedath by his daughter, Sarah N. Slipher in 2010 and two sisters, Marjorie Brogan and Dorothy Emory.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on April 22, 2023 at Heffner Funeral Chapel and Crematory in York, Pennsylvania.  Full military honors will be provided by the York County Veterans Honor Guard.  Burial of his cremated remains will be private in the Moline Cemetery in Moline, Kansas. 

Memorial contributions to honor his memory can be made to the American Red Cross.  Services have been entrusted to Heffner Funeral Chapel and Crematory in York, Pennsylvania.

(published in the Prairie Star - (04/06/2023)

[patyrn]

Burial of the cremated remains of Don E. Nicholson will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at the Moline City Cemetery in Moline, Kansas.  Carter-Rader American Legion Post #0149 of Howard, Kansas will provide military honors.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral home website)