Max Alan Nichols, 58, of Iola, died Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011, in Bourbon County.
Max was born Feb. 18, 1953, in North Platte, Neb., the son of Malcolm C. and Virginia Lee (Boeker) Nichols. He grew up at Mulvane and graduated from Mulvane High School in 1971. Max attended Wichita Technical Institute and received his certification in heating and air conditioning. He worked for Fahnestock Heating and Air Conditioning in Wichita and Miller Electric in Derby.
On Dec. 20, 1975, Max married Janet L. McAntee at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Emporia. They moved to Emporia in 1977 from Derby, and Max worked for I.B.P. in Emporia. In 1979, he began working as an electrical planner for Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant in Burlington. Max and Janet moved to Iola in 1984. He had completed 32 years with Wolf Creek.
Max was a member of First Christian Church in Iola. He loved being outdoors, cutting wood, deer hunting and playing with his grandkids. For many years, he coached softball and baseball teams, and summer basketball for his children.
Survivors include his wife, Janet, of 35 years; three children, Dusti Mechling and husband, Webb, of Ventura, Calif., Matt Nichols and wife, Amber, of Gardner, and Lacey Wilbert and husband, J.D., of Pittsburg; six grandchildren, Cooper and Max Nichols, Gracie and Brigham Mechling, and Emery and Weston Wilbert with another Wilbert on the way; four brothers, Steve and wife, Kathy, of Mulvane, Malcolm and wife, Karen, Austin, Texas, Mike and wife, Roxanne, of Mulvane, and Stoney and wife, Tina, Mulvane; a sister-in-law, Sue Hamman and her husband, Randy, Topeka; and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Malcolm and Virginia Nichols, and his in-laws, Glen and Jo McAntee, Admire.
Cremation has taken place.
The family will receive friends this evening from 6 to 8 o’clock at First Christian Church in Iola. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at First Christian Church, Pastor Dave McGullion officiating.
Memorials to First Christian Church may be left with Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.
