Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m. Friday, July 31, 2026 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation prior to services 1 - 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Bethany Mennonite Cemetery, Rich Hill, Missouri. Memorials are suggested to Gospel Tract and Bible Society or Good Shepherd Hospice in care of the funeral home. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.
Our father, grandfather, and great-grandfather Clayton Dale Nichols was born on September 24, 1944, in rural Haskell County, Kansas, to Noah and Frances Koehn Nichols. After a lengthy illness, he was granted his wish and peacefully passed away at his home on July 19, 2026, at the age of 81.
He was raised on the family farm in Haskell County and attended Lakeside Country School, just a half a mile down the road. He often told stories of finishing chores before school and then hurrying to make it there on time.
In June 1962, dad was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. Life had its struggles, but living a Christian life and reading the Bible were important to him. In June 1965, he went to Denver, Colorado, for 1-W service. Two weeks after arriving there he met our mother Judith Ann Quint (Judy) at the local A&W Drive-in. They were married on January 22, 1966, and shared 44 & 1/2 years together until mom was called home on Father's Day, June 20, 2010. Four children were born to this union.
In 1967, dad and mother moved to the Copeland, Kansas, area, where they began farming. He was a meticulous farmer and taught his children that if a job was worth doing, it was worth doing right. In 2007 after retiring and selling the farm, our parents moved to Wathena, Kansas. After mom passed away, he resided for two years at Grain Valley, Missouri and then in 2015 dad moved to Butler, Missouri, to be closer to his children. In the following years he drove taxi, volunteered at Bates County Hospital, and helped at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel. He enjoyed spending his retirement years helping others and making new friends.
Our dad never knew a stranger and genuinely enjoyed people. He loved doing tract work and connecting with others on a spiritual level. He also dearly loved his grandchildren, took interest in each of their lives, gave them plenty of attention, and enjoyed teasing them. His children and grandchildren will remember the many stories he told about his childhood and growing-up years, singing with him, his home cooked meals, and even his pies.
He is survived by one son, Gerald and wife Lois of Garden City, Kansas; three daughters, Kristi and husband Doug Penner of Swan River, Manitoba, Shelli and husband Daryl Koehn, and Sheri and husband Bryan Jackson of Rich Hill, Missouri; Twelve grandchildren, as Dad would say, "6 and a 1/2 dozen (6 of each flavor)": Jonathan Nichols, Jaylon Penner (Dana), Tyler Koehn (Maura), Dwonn Penner, Brandon Koehn, Kaden Koehn, Anda Nichols (Todd Koehn), Kaitlyn Penner (JoVan Friesen), Lindsey Koehn, Jayla, Makayla and Shayla Jackson; and two great-grandsons, Anthony and Colton Koehn.
He is also survived by his brothers Howard Nichols of Montezuma, Kansas; Milton Nichols (JoAnn) of Almena, Wisconsin; Chester Nichols (Connie) of Branson, Missouri; Lester Nichols (Sondra) of Canon City, Colorado; Milferd Nichols (Peggy) of Young Harris, Georgia; and Wilferd Nichols (Jackie) of Copeland, Kansas; his sisters Valetta Koehn of Sublette, Kansas; and Velda Wadel (Darrell) of Spavinaw, Oklahoma; one brother-in-law, Harold Quint of Thornton, Colorado; and two sisters-in-law, Delores Nichols, Montezuma, KS; and Cindy Quint of Commerce City, Colorado as well as special friends Henry & Ann Peters; & Ernie Koehn, Butler Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; his parents-in-law, Isidor and Jane Quint; one brother, Manford Nichols; one sister, Joyce Wiebe; three brothers-in-law John Koehn, Kenneth Wiebe, and Terry Quint. Three sisters-in-law Josie Nichols, Sandy Henderson, and Linda Quint.
Memorials are suggested to Gospel Tract and Bible Society or Good Shepherd Hospice in care of the funeral home.
The family wishes to thank everyone for their expressions of sympathy, prayers, and food. Special thanks to Henry & Ann Peters; and Ernie Koehn for your friendship, care, and concern for our dad over the last several years. We appreciate each and every one of you!
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