He was the former owner of the old Lincoln Home Furnishings, a former house painter, and current owner of Nilest Realty. He was a member of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church and Moose Lodge #5.
He was preceded by his first wife, Diane M. Nilest.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Wallace Nilest; sons, Michael Nilest, Marty Nilest, Dan Shumate, and Michael Shumate; daughters, Angela Kazunas, Laura Gray, Lecia Young, and Donna Coppage; siblings, Evelyn Ewing, Mary Mills, John Nilest, Rita Hardin, Joana Overstreet, Ray Nilest, and Terri Hoffman; 13 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am Tuesday at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 5443 Johnsontown Road, followed by burial at St. Michael Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-8 pm Monday at Heady-Hardy Funeral Home, 7710 Dixie Highway.
Memorial gifts may be made to the University of Louisville Kidney Disease Program, 615 S. Preston St, Louisville, KY 40202.
