Albert J Nickle continued his journey into the eternities on Wednesday, September 2, 2015 in Delta, Utah at the age of 95. He was born November 6, 1919 in Delta, Utah to Lloyd Nadine and Luella Bushnell Nickle. He was the oldest of three children: Albert J, James L, and Rosabeth Marguerite.
His early years were spent between California; Meadow, Utah; and Delta, Utah. In 1930, the family settled on a farm south of Delta where Albert spent the next 75 years of his life farming and operating the Nickle Mortuary.
On October 11, 1941, he married LaRue Cahoon at the Cahoon family home in Delta. The marriage was later solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple. To this union was born three children: Douglas Scott, Linda Lue, and Carolyn.
Albert was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings. Community was important to Albert, and he participated in several service organizations of the Delta area. He was very active in the Junior Chamber of Commerce (JCs), and was particularly instrumental in the first house numbering and street signs being installed in Delta, the Gunnison Bend Reservoir speed boat races during the 1950s, and the home Santa Claus visits on Christmas Eve. He received a Southern Utah Honors Medallion from SUU in honor of his civic volunteerism.
Albert attended Brigham Young University and Utah State Agricultural College (USU) in Logan and graduated from Cypress Mortuary College in June of 1941. He worked faithfully beside his father in the L.N. Nickle and Sons Mortuary, until taking over as owner and operator of the Nickle Mortuary after his father’s death in 1951. He was a longtime member and served in the leadership of the Utah Funeral Director’s Association. In 1992, he receive the Association Lifetime Service Award. He took great pride in his calling, helping families through difficult times. He will always be remembered for his skill, professionalism and compassion. At the time of his passing, Albert was the oldest licensed funeral director in Utah.
He provided ambulance service for West Millard County from 1942 until 1972. He was in the first class of Delta’s certified EMT’s.
He was a farmer and rancher. He enjoyed rounding up his cattle from the West Desert every fall. In the 1980s, he switched from riding a horse to a four wheeler because “they mind better and are easier to feed on a cold evening.”
He and LaRue received the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce "Area Giants" Award in November 1994 for extensive and special service to the area, a recognition they gratefully and humbly cherished. LaRue died December 2, 1994.
Albert married Barbara Ann Bradley David on June 21, 2002, in Delta. They have shared 13 wonderful years together traveling the USA and Europe and supporting their children and grandchildren in the special events of their lives. Barbara was always beside him as a caring and compassionate companion during the later years as his health declined.
He will be greatly missed. He has added much to those whose lives he touched.
Survived by his wife Barbara; children: Douglas Scott (Sherry) Nickle, Linda Lue (David) Ekins, Carolyn (Mike) Hamann; step-sons: Bill (Cathy) David, Barry (Jeanine) David, Bob (Sherril) David; 15 grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; 15 step-great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his wife: LaRue Cahoon Nickle; brother: James L; sister-in-law: Orvetta Nickle Groom; sister: Rosabeth Kennington Delapp; brothers-in-law: Paul Kennington and John DeLapp; brother-in-law: Garth Arthur Cahoon; sister-in-law: Elaine Cahoon.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, September 10, 2015, at 11:00 AM, at the Delta 3rd Ward LDS Chapel, 197 S. 300 W., Delta. Viewings will be held on Wednesday evening, 6:30-8:00 PM, at the Nickle Mortuary; and Thursday at the church, 9:30-10:40 AM, prior to the service. He will join LaRue to rest in the Delta City Cemetery.