Eugene “Bucky” Adam Nichols was born August 26, 1942, in Rockford, Illinois to Wilbur Herman “Buck” and Ruth Merle (Crider) Nichols, the second of four children. He and sisters, Edith, Judy, and Janice, were raised in Eminence by their “Mom” (grandma) Birdie (Strain) Nichols. Bucky passed away on April 16, 2021, at Ozarks Methodist Manor in Marionville, Missouri, with Irene by his side. He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Edith and Judy; and son, Derek.
Irene Faye Enterman was born August 3, 1947, in Winona, Missouri, to Velma Enterman, the first of two children. Irene passed away on April 21, 2021, at Cox Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri, with her family by her side. She is preceded in death by her mother and son, Derek. She grew up in Winona with her Mom and brother, Don.
She and Bucky met and dated after he had joined the military, serving at Ft. Leonard Wood. They married on June 19, 1965. Together, they raised six children and are survived by five; Melody Nichols and husband Carl of Phillipsburg, Lance Nichols of Pierce City, Tabitha Batty and husband Warren of Prescott, AZ, Amy East of Springfield, and Aaron Nichols of Lebanon.
After moving to Decatur, Illinois in 1985, and staying for a few years, Bucky and his family returned to the Lebanon, Missouri area in 1992 and raised Charolais cattle. After the kids grew up, they settled in Doniphan, Missouri, very close to the Current River. Irene worked at the Child Advocacy Center for a few years before retiring. They remained there until their health prevented it. Bucky was an intelligent man with a keen wit, fiercely independent, and loyal. He was an outdoorsman, a hunter, and an avid fisherman. In his later years, walleye fishing occupied much of his time. Irene loved flower gardening, reading, and operated her own computer graphics business for a while. They leave behind five children, nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many more relatives and friends who will remember them fondly and keep their memories alive.
A memorial visitation will be held from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Friday, April 23, 2021, at Yarber Mortuary, Eminence, Missouri. Cremation arrangements were made under the direction of Yarber Mortuary, Eminence. Inurnment will be held at a later date at Munsell Chapel Cemetery in Eminence, Missouri. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.
