Jean Nichols

Lora La-Jean Orrison was the seventh of eleven children born to Roy Herbert and Gladys Belle (Payne) Orrison. She was born July 16, 1928, in Bush, Illinois, and grew up in Centralia, Illinois. Shortly after graduating from Centralia High School she married Frank Nichols, Jr., on July 18, 1946, in Centralia. He was a U.S. Marine recently home from World War II, having been a POW in Japan after being captured on Guam December 10, 1941.

They moved to Mansfield in 1953 and for many years were antique dealers. Jean had been a sales clerk at Golden-Russell ladies’ shop in downtown Mansfield for a number of years and had been supervisor of the Catalog Department at J.C. Penney’s. She was an accomplished seamstress, avid reader, enjoyed quilting, gardening, and loved a rousing game of pinochle, Oh Hell, or poker. Throughout the years Jean made a lovely home for her family, having an eye for decorating. She was a gifted, creative cook.

Jean spent countless hours beautifully restoring antique furniture she and Frank acquired during their “buying expeditions” throughout the Midwest. For many years they had a booth at the Arlington Track Antique Show in Chicago as well as at the flea market at Richland County Fairgrounds. Jean enjoyed genealogy and was an extensive researcher. She was proud to have learned that three of her great-great-great-grandfathers living in Virginia were soldiers in the Revolutionary War: David Beard, Benjamin Hanes, and Daniel Linder. Two of her great-grandfathers served in the Civil War: John Brown Orrison was in the 5th Illinois Cavalry and James Alston Weems served in the 9th Kentucky Volunteer Regiment.

Jean is survived by two daughters, Resa Nichols Hennings (Eric W.) of Houston, and Chris A. Schillinger of Mansfield; three grandchildren, Jeffrey J. Schillinger, Jr., of Houston, Marissa A.N. Schillinger Hubbard (Adam R.) of Mansfield, and Holly J.M. Schillinger Vaglenov (Vladimir A.) of Columbus; and two step-grandchildren, Elizabeth Hennings Farrar of Indianapolis, and Niel C. Hennings of Houston. She is also survived by one sister, Bonneva J. Stroud, of Germantown, Illinois. Nephews Lonnie J. Atchison of Ashland and Larry F. Atchison of Wooster, 19 other nephews and nieces, and many great-nieces and great-nephews scattered across the country also survive.

Frank passed away in Mansfield May 25, 2002. Jean was also preceded in death by her parents, two infant siblings (Dorothy Helen and James William), three brothers, and four sisters: Herbert F. Orrison of Tucson, Robert S. Orrison of San Antonio, Jerry L. Orrison of Hutchinson, Kansas, H. Muriel Atchison of Ashland, Verla L. Darginis of Tucson, F. JoAnn Sargent Hutchcraft of Tucson, and Patsy S. Orrison of San Antonio.

Jean requested no services. Burial of cremated remains will be beside Frank at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio. The Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors is privileged to serve the family.