Emerson F. ‘Red’ Nichols – Brownstown/ Fayette City
Emerson F. ‘Red’ Nichols
Brownstown/
Fayette City
Emerson F. “Red” Nichols, 95, of Brownstown/Fayette City, passed away peacefully Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, in Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital. Emerson was born in Belle Vernon on Feb. 10, 1924, son of the late Benjamin and Almeda E. Peroney Nichols. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Thelma Mae Nichols and son, Raymond A. “Joe” Nichols; brothers, James R. Nichols and Norman R. Nichols; and sisters, Ida M. Hawker and Adell Hussar. Emerson honorably served as a United States Army medical sergeant during World War II, earning two Bronze Stars during his act of service. He was a proud retiree of the Monessen plant of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel, where he was the superintendent of the “Round House.” He deeply enjoyed reminiscing with his family about his time in service as well as working on diesel locomotives. One of Emerson’s favorite pastimes was going to Lusk, Wyo., to hunt mule deer and antelope. He liked shooting targets with his grandchildren any chance he got and especially enjoyed spoiling them as well as his great-grandchildren. Emerson kept busy by working in his garage, riding his tractor and keeping his mind sharp with word search puzzles. He attended Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Fayette City. He is survived by his sons, Emerson E. (Dell) Nichols of High Point, N.C., and Ralph E. (Cathy) Nichols of Augusta, Ga.; daughter, Rhonda K. (Rudy) Hynek of Mt. Pleasant; grandchildren, Jason (Jenn) Nichols, Kelly Nichols, Kendra (Ryan) DeBari, Phillip Nichols, Brian Nichols, Breanne (Craig) Hynek Dunn, Rudy Hynek and Raymond Hynek; six beloved great-grandchildren; and a sister, Almeda “Peach” Sala, of Pittsburgh. Friends and family will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, at JAMES C. STUMP FUNERAL HOME INC., 580 Circle Drive, Rostraver Township, 724-929-7934, www.jamesstumpfuneralhome.com, where a funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, with Pastor Paul Cope officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.
