Gerald Dean Nichols, 82, of Jackson died Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Wappapello, Missouri.

He was born May 30, 1939, in Danville, Illinois.

Gerald was a retired Champaign, Illinois, firefighter. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by two sons, Doug (Ruth) Nichols of Wappapello and Jeffrey (Lisa) Nichols of Lexington, Kentucky; two stepsons, Rick (Brandi) Johnson of Mahomet, Illinois, and Mike Johnson of Champaign; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife and the mother of his children, Nancy Nichols; his second wife, Sue Nichols; six brothers and three sisters.

Graveside memorial service will be held at a later date in Savoy, Illinois.

White-Sanders Funeral Home in Fisk, Missouri, is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be shared at whitesandersfuneralhome.com.