Ernest John “Ernie” Nicholas Jr.
Granite City |
Ernest John “Ernie” Nicholas Jr., 68, of Granite City, Illinois passed away at 10:55 a.m. on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at his home.
He was born May 4, 1954, in Wilmington, Delaware, a son of the late Ernest John Nicholas Sr. and Mary (Quinn) Nicholas.
He married Linda M. (Hampton) Nicholas on October 21, 2000, in St. Louis County, Missouri and she survives.
He was employed with Express Professional Employment as a Human Resources Manager. His military career began with a year and a half of service with the Army Reserves. Following the reserves, he enlisted with the United States Marine Corp, giving 27 years of dedicated service to his country until his retirement on July 31, 2001. Ernest was an active member of the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) and enjoy many years in the cowboy lifestyle where he was known as “Izzy Lost”. He was also a member of the Collinsville American Legion and collected comics and graphic novels.
In addition to his beloved wife, he is survived by two sons, Ernest John Nicholas III of Pontoon Beach, Illinois, and Matthew (Laura) Nicholas of Lawton, Oklahoma; five stepchildren, Wendy Whitmire of Lexington, North Carolina, Charity (Jason) Snell of Holt Summit, Missouri, Michelle (Scott) Schreck of Jefferson City, Missouri, Justin (Jennifer) Cropper of Corpus Christi, Texas and Jennifer Cropper of Granite City, Illinois; fifteen grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a sister, Rosie Nicholas of Penns Grove, New Jersey; a sister-in-law, Karen Nicholas of Penns Grove, New Jersey; many nieces; nephews; cousins; his cowboy family; other extended family and many friends.
In addition to his beloved parents, he was preceded in death by a stepson, Gary Blevins, and a brother, John Nicholas.
In celebration of his life, visitation will be at Irwin Chapel, 3960 Maryville Road in Granite City on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. where funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, with Father Steve Thompson officiating.
Burial with full military honors will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.
Memorials may be made to Got Your Six Support Dogs, 6 Schiber Court, Maryville, IL 62062 and can be made online at www.gotyoursixsupportdogs.org or to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 and can be made online at www.pancan.org.
Memorials may also be accepted at the funeral chapel. Condolences and tributes to the family may be accepted on our website at www.irwinchapel.com.
Irwin Chapel Funeral Home
