Joyce C. Nichol
Published: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 10:51 PM CDT E-mail this story | Print this page

FREEPORT - Joyce C. Nichol, 78, of Freeport died Sunday, May 11, 2008, at FHN Memorial Hospital.

She was born Joyce Catherine Weegens on Jan. 25, 1930, in Freeport, the devoted daughter of William and Beulah (Vietmeier) Weegens. Joyce married Richard C. Nichol Sr. on Jan. 5, 1952, in Freeport.

Joyce was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, a former member and past president of the American Business Women’s Association and a longtime member of the former Germania.

She and her husband owned and operated the Pretzel Inn Lounge in Freeport, and she also was part owner of Freeport Collections Unlimited, until her retirement in 1995.

Surviving are her son, Richard (Rhonda) Nichol Jr. of Davis; her daughter-in-law, Mary J. Meier of Waterloo, Iowa; five grandchildren; Thomas (Amy) Nichol of Pecatonica, Jesse (Esther) Nichol of Mount Morris, Teresa Makosh of Davis, Trista (Matt) Manternach of Dubuque, Iowa and Elizabeth (Gary) Wendel of DeKalb; 11 great-grandchildren, Quinn and Collin Nichol, Jacob, Zachary and Tyler Nichol, Brice, Anthony and Cole Makosh, Madison Manternach, Conor Wendel, Angela, Travis and Megan Zabran.


She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband on June 22, 1996; her son, William J. Meier; granddaughter, Kimberly M. Meier; and her very special companions, Barney and DJ.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Freeport with Pastor Willis Schwichtenberg and Vicar Phillip Robarge officiating. Interment will be at Oakland Cemetery.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Schwarz Funeral Home, 816 S. Galena Ave in Freeport.

A memorial fund has been established in her memory for Friends Forever Humane Society.