Cecil F. "Nick" Nickelson, 77 of Urbana, died at 4:20 a.m. Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 3 at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Rd., Urbana with visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Mt. Olive Cemetery, Mayview. Military Rites will be accorded by Champaign VFW Post 5520 at the cemetery.

Mr. Nickelson was born November 23, 1932 at Homer, the son of Tom and Pearle Smith Nickelson. He married Betty J. Miller on March 2, 1957 in Urbana. He is survived by his wife, Betty of Urbana, daughters Kathy Nickelson Hamilton of Urbana, Connie Kirby (Kenny) of St. Joseph, grandchildren Carrie Wilson (Chris) of Urbana, Brian Hamilton of Urbana, Kaitlyn and Korynn Kirby of St. Joseph, sisters Carol Welch (John) of Mahomet, Linda Smiley of Rock Island and Norma Smith of Wheatridge, CO. He is preceded in death by brothers Owen, Glenn, Eugene and Dale.

Mr. Nickelson attended Tipton Grade School and graduated from St. Joseph High School. He attended classes at Parkland College. He served in the Army in the Korean War with the 101st Airborne, 45th Infantry and later with the 25th Infantry. He worked for over 38 years at Urbana FS as a fertilizer and chemical manager. He later worked for Ryder Co. He was a member of the Urbana Senior Park District, the Ambassador's Club of the Champaign Chamber of Commerce, Champaign County Farm Bureau, Farm Bureau Prime Timer's and was a counselor for Boy Scout Troop 6, Urbana. He enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren and loved to watch nature and take long drives thru Homer Park.