John A. "Jack" Nicol

Age 95 of Wilmington, died peacefully on Monday, November 14, 2022 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, with his family by his side.

Born June 30, 1927 in Morrisonville, Illinois, John Andrew was a son of Clyde and Mayme (Nagel) Nicol. He was raised and educated in Morrisonville and graduated from Morrisonville High School. Jack attended Illinois State University in Bloomington, and on June 14, 1947 he married Doris Evelyn Lamb in Bloomington. He served in the United States Army from 1952 until his honorable discharge in 1954, and then settled with his family in Wilmington.

Jack worked for the GM&O Railroad Company for nine years as a signal operator until he gained employment with the United States Post Office. He worked at the Wilmington Post Office for over 30 years until his retirement in 1988. Jack was an avid golfer who enjoyed playing cards and going bowling. He also took great pleasure in coaching both baseball and softball teams, and he will be remembered for being a die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan.

Survivors include his wife of 75 years, Doris Nicol, and two daughters: Sandra (Mark) Mahalik and Barbara (Doug) Rink; five grandchildren: John Welsh, David (Kelli) Welsh, Kate Welsh, Calvin (Jessica) Rink, and Jordan (Adam) Granger; seven great grandchildren: Luke and Cole Welsh, Ryder, Myles, and Vylette Rink, and Jett and Brynlee Granger; and many nieces and nephews.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Tom Welsh in 2014, and father-in-law and mother-in-law: Alva and Helen Lamb; three brothers and one sister: Loren (Betty) Nicol, Harold (Rita) Nicol, William (Sue) Nicol, and Mary Louise (Bud) Miller; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Dwight (Sarajane) Lamb and Joseph (Karen) Lamb.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, November 20, 2022 at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road, in Wilmington between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be Monday, November 21, 2022 at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 604 South Kankakee Street, in Wilmington at 8:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Sebastian Gargol presiding, and interment with full military honors will immediately follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.

Pallbearers will be: John Welsh, David Welsh, Kate Welsh, Calvin Rink, Jordan Granger, and Adam Granger.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Jack’s memory to Kuzma Care Cottage.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Jack’s memorial page via social media.

Funeral services have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington (815) 476-2181.