Jay Nichols

Jay Nichols, 82, passed away Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at Hamilton Pointe Nursing Home in Newburgh, IN. Jay was born on November 15, 1940, in Hammond, Indiana, the son of Julius and Marian (Thirion) Nichols.   He grew up in Griffith, where he graduated from Griffith High School with the Class of 1959. 

On September 8, 1962, he married Ann Marie Korniak.  Jay and Ann resided in Griffith, IN, where he worked in the family business, Nichols Foundry, Inc. In Jay’s spare time, you would find him volunteering at St. Mary’s Church in Griffith, the Griffith Historical Society where he loved playing Santa Claus, the Griffith Izaac Walton League, and the American Legion also in Griffith, IN. Jay was a soldier in the United States Army and had several hobbies, including making Indian drums and wood carving.  

His love for the outdoors and teaching his boys, Joe and Jim, took him down the path of Boy Scouts, where he was a Leader for 40+ years and taught survival skills.  Jay had a love for participating in buckskining and dressing up for Living History reenactments of the French and Indian War at Rendezvous across the United States. Jay will always be remembered for his giving nature and his wild yet sometimes  imaginative stories. 

He is survived by his loving three children, Jim Nichols (Kim) of Merrillville, IN; Cyndi Brazina (Jaime) of Newburgh, IN; Joe Nichols (Emily) of Defiance, OH. Five grandchildren, Ryan (Dayna) Bacon; Colin (Maddie) Nichols; Justin Brazina; Nathan (Kaitlin) Brazina; Gabriel Nichols and six great grand children, Sebastian Bacon, Christopher Bacon, Caroline Bacon, October Nichols, Rain Nichols, Mason Brazina.

Visitation on Sunday, September 10, 2023 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8941 Kleinman Road (one block south of Ridge Rd) Highland, IN 46322.

Church Service/Mass will be Monday, September 11, 2023 at 10:00 am at St. Mary Church, 525 N Broad Street, Griffith, IN 46319.

Cemetery Services immediately following Mass (on September 11 at approximately 11 am). Please meet at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Rensselaer, IN 47978

For additional information, please contact Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center Konnie Kuiper-Michael Kuiper-Vass by calling us at 219-838-0800 or visiting us at www.hillsidefhcares.com

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