Neal Nichols Jr., 92 of Edinburg, passed away on October 4, 2023, at Springfield Memorial Hospital.  He was born on July 4, 1931, in rural Pawnee, the son of Neal Nichols Sr. and Pearl (Fugate) Nichols.  He married Ruth Mary Pope on August 6, 1955, in Corinth, Mississippi.  Neal attended Springfield Jr. College after enlisting in the U.S. Air Force where he proudly served his country during the Korean War.  Neal was a businessman, entrepreneur, and developer.  During his married life he sold feed for Morman Feed, worked as a machinist at Allis Chalmers and Borg Warner.  His hardworking personality led him to learn the plumbing trade and used those skills to develop trailer parks, carwashes and commercial buildings.  Neal also operated a commercial door business after working at Peabody Mine #10 as Mine Manager.  He had a love of sports and served as an official for fast pitch baseball for many years.  He was a passionate fan of the St. Louis Cardinals.  Playing cards was something he always liked to do with his friends, and it was often said that he was quick to take a nickel from his buddies.  He will be remembered for his outgoing personality as he never met a stranger, no matter where he traveled throughout the country, he could always run into someone he knew.  More than anything, Neal loved his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom he adored. 

He is survived by his wife: Ruth Mary Nichols of Edinburg; children: Marcia Wise (Dennis) of Auburn, Pam Sloman (Rick) of Girard, Sharon Conrath (Dan) of Clevland, Tennessee, Michelle Colonius (Richard) of Edinburg, and Jeff Nichols (Melissa) of Sullivan; grandchildren: Brent Wise (Leah), Kathryn Courtney (Evan), Elizabeth Keller (Brandon), Kelsey Dillon (Kyle), Kristin Hays (Taylor), Andrea Conrath, Brittney Shanks (Shelby), Eric Colonius (Chastity), Blake Colonius, Lauren Colonius, Clayton Nichols (Sydney), Nathan Nichols (Madison), Paige Patrick (Connor), Ryan Sloman (Sarah), Elena Hatfield (Brenden), and Collette Penaloza (Clayton Bone) Diana Downs, and Daniel Downs; 27 great grandchildren; brothers-in-law: Dwight Pope (Grace) of Mechanicsburg and Chuck Williams of Divernon; sister-in-law: Linda Pope of Taylorville; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Ernest Renfrow, Dorothy Baker, Frank Nichols, Jack Nichols, and Lucille Williams; grandson: Luke Sloman; and nieces: Patricia Trueblood and Barbie Baker.

Neal will be cremated, and a family graveside memorial service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at the Bethany Cemetery in rural Kincaid with Pastor Evan Courtney officiating.  Veteran’s Honors will be presented by the Scott Air Force Base Honor Guard.  McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to the Christian County Coal Mine Museum in his honor.  Memories of Neal, or condolences to his family, may be shared online at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com.