Frank Nichols Jr.

Frank Nichols, Jr., 80, died Saturday morning, May 25, 2002, after a two-year battle with colon cancer. He was born June 16, 1921, in Centralia, Illinois, the fourth child of Franklin Monroe and Sarah Frances Morgan Nichols. They preceded him in death, as did his brother, Carl E., and sisters, Violet M. Basola, and Frances R. Ingram. Frank served in the United States Marie Corps and was captured by the Japanese on Guam December 10, 1941. He was held Prisoner of War at three different camps in Japan until August 17, 1945. His great-great grandfather, Bird Nichols, fought in the War of 1812 from Tennessee and his great-great-great grandfather, Jesse Nichols, aided the Revolutionary War in Virginia. After coming home from World War II, Frank married L. Jean Orrison in Centralia on July 18, 1946. She survives, as do their two daughters, Resa and Eric W. Hennings, of Houston, TX and Chris A. Schillinger, of Mansfield. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Jeffrey John Schillinger, Jr., Marissa Annise Schillinger, and Holly Jane Morgan Schillinger, all of Mansfield; two step-grandchildren, Elizabeth Hennings Farrar of Indianapolis, and Niel C. Hennings of Dallas; and several brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews scattered across the country. Frank and Jean came to Mansfield in 1952 and were antique dealers for many years. He was a long-time member of the Downtown Central Group and life member of the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Ex-Prisoners of War, and American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor. Visitation will be at Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond St., Mansfield, Tuesday, May 28, 6 to 9 p.m. Graveside Services will be held Wednesday, May 29, 1:00 p.m. at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Rawiga Road, Rittman, Ohio. Memorial contributions may be made to the Downtown Central Group.