Pawnee — Raymond Eugene Nichols, 84, of Pawnee, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, at his home in Pawnee surrounded by his family. He was born May 9, 1940, in Pawnee, the son of James and Sarah M. Damico Nichols Sr. Ray married Patricia Sue Plummer at the Pawnee Presbyterian Church in Pawnee on Oct. 28, 1961. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Pat, in 2018; and his brother, Jim Nichols Jr.

Ray attended Divernon High School. He was a member of Sugar Creek United Methodist Church. Ray owned and operated Nichols Trucking Inc. and was a contract driver for the State Journal-Register for over 58 years. He was a member of Teamsters Local 916 for 50 years and served as a union rep for more than 30 years. Ray was a board of member of the Sangamac Ambulance, was one of four original founding members of Pawnee Ambulance and was a former member of the Pawnee Lions Club. He had also worked for Davis Funeral Home in Pawnee for over 20 years and Sutton Funeral Home in Taylorville for eight years.

Ray is survived by two sons, Brian L. (wife, Debbie) Nichols of Divernon and Jeff L. (wife, Kim) Nichols of Pawnee; six grandchildren, Anthony (wife, Madolyn), Samantha, Justis (wife, Nicole), Savannah (husband, Scotty), Kameron and Jory; three stepgrandchildren, Destiny (husband, Nate) Thomas of Lincoln, Lacey (husband, Jeremy) Best of Springfield and Vanessa Bolash of San Diego, California; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ron L. Nichols of Missouri, and Tom E. (wife, Kendra) Nichols of Carlinville; two sisters, M. Kay (husband, Frank) Konwinski and Connie L. (husband, Charles) Gudgel, both of Pawnee; a sister-in-law, Judy Plummer of Springfield and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ray's family will meet friends from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, at Pawnee Assembly of God Church at 1001 Eighth St. in Pawnee. A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, at Pawnee Assembly of God Church, with Rev. A.B. Bennett officiating. Burial will follow at Horse Creek Cemetery in Pawnee.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mary Bryant Home for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 2960 Stanton St., Springfield, IL 62703.

Curry Funeral Home in Pawnee is serving the family of Ray Nichols. Online condolences may be expressed at www.curryfh.com.