Prairie Journal Star (Peoria, Ill.)

Dale C. Nichols, 88, of East Peoria passed away at 10:05 a.m. Monday, Aug. 15, 2011, at Manor Care at Riverview in East Peoria.

He was born Feb. 18, 1923, in Assumption, Ill., to Earl W. and Bertha (Christner) Nichols. He married Margaret, who passed away, and then Carolyn, who also preceded him in death. He later married Lois E. (Watts) Layman in Pekin, Ill. She preceded him in death on April 29, 2000.

His parents and one son, Dave Nichols, also preceded him in death.

Surviving are five children, Steve (Jody) Nichols of Pekin, Larry (Judy) Layman of Hanna City, Becky Smith of Corpus Christi, Texas, David Layman of Peoria and Richard (Denise) Layman of Metamora; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Dean (Sarah) Nichols of Leroy, Ill.

He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII.

He attended the University of Illinois and graduated from Milliken University in Decatur, Ill.

He was of the Methodist faith. He was an Eagle Scout.

Dale worked as a service adviser with Jim McComb Chevrolet in Peoria for more than 25 years, retiring in 1990. He then worked as a driver with Morton Auto Auctions.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.