Raymond L. Nickels

Raymond (Ray) was born on August 17, 1929 in the Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin and spent his childhood in New Lisbon, Wisconsin. He played in the New Lisbon High School marching band and on the football team. In 1947, Ray enlisted in the U.S. Army and served under General McArthur in Japan as a communications specialist where he was awarded several medals. When he returned to the U.S. he attended Ripon College and married Barbara Anne Lloyd.



Following college, Ray’s first job was as a high school business teacher, and he dedicated the rest of his career toward teaching or administration, including business manager first at Evanston Township High School, Evanston, IL and retiring from Glenview AVOCA School District, Glenview, IL in 1984. During this period, he also achieved two Masters Degrees. Following his retirement, Ray worked for both the Green Lake Association, where he served as president for many years, and as Glenview Township Treasurer.



One of Ray’s passions was football. He enjoyed Big Ten college football, and also had season tickets to the Bear’s games for over 20 years; in fact, he was so passionate he was able to be a Green Bay Packers fan at the same time. Additionally, Ray was active in the Omni National Tucson Golf Club in Tucson, AZ and the Tuscombia Golf Club in Green Lake, WI. He also enjoyed the social aspects of hunting and boating.



Throughout his life, Ray and his wife Barb traveled extensively. Ray had traveled to six continents and all 50 states.



Ray is survived by his wife Barbara, and children Leslie Anne Nickels (Lon Berkeley) and Douglas Lloyd Nickels (Judith Nickels (Peterson); grandchildren Emily Robyn Berkeley, Elizabeth Lloyd Berkeley, Jeffery Lloyd Nickels, and Meredith Mae Nickels; sister Jacqueline Paxton (nee Nickels); niece Elizabeth Osick (Nick Osick); and nephew Robert Meade Paxton; as well as many beloved cousins. Ray is preceded in death by his parents Isabelle Nickels (nee Meade) and Otto Nickels.



Donations should be directed to Ripon College, Office of Advancement, PO Box 248, Ripon Wisconsin 54971 made payable to Ripon College or at www.ripon.edu(make a donation).



A memorial service to remember and celebrate Ray’s life will be conducted later this fall.



Kohls Community Funeral Home, Waupun is honored to assist the family.