Nila Nichols

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Nila R. Nichols was a blessing to everyone she met. She was a woman of great strength who faced whatever came her way head on, equally embracing both the peaks and the valleys along her life’s journey. Although she loved being a mother, Nila just may have argued that nothing was better than being a grandmother to the four grandsons who were her greatest source of pride and joy. She was a woman of unwavering convictions whose faith was a cornerstone in her life over the years. A dear woman to many, Nila will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who were blessed to know and love her.

Although the 1920s were vibrant times filled with great prosperity, however, the 1930s were a much different story as the Great Depression covered the entire decade like a wet blanket. Times were tough, the unemployment rate soared, and countless American families lost their homes as well. Despite the challenges around them, Arthur and Mary (Hedges) Hanlin were able to shift their focus to a joyous time in their own lives as they were eagerly anticipating the birth of their new baby as fall gave way to winter in the city of Portage, Michigan, in 1939. The big day finally arrived when the baby girl they named Nila drew her first breath on November 14th. She was the younger of two children as she was raised in the family home alongside her older brother, Richard. While her father worked for Consumers Power, Nila’s mother was an extraordinary woman who stayed home and cared for numerous people in need of time, attention, and some tender loving care. She always spoke very highly of her days while growing up as her home was filled with plenty of love. Nila was a student at local schools and went on to graduate from Portage High School in 1958.

New and exciting changes were in store for Nila when she met a young man named Dennis Nichols. Sparks flew right from the start, and a dating relationship soon followed. With a desire to establish a life together, Nila and Dennis were united in marriage in 1959. Together they were blessed to welcome two children, Jeff and Denise, into their hearts and home.

Even though her family was always her primary focus, Nila enjoyed pursuing her outside interests as well. She was a longtime member of Vicksburg United Methodist Church for over 40 years where she was actively involved in numerous activities and ministries. There, Nila was on the membership committee and Women’s Priscilla Circle, served as a Kids Hope mentor, and was part of their Tuesday morning prayer group. She also worked some outside of the home, spending more than 30 years at Borgess Medical Center where she retired from the medical records department in 2005. Nila was also a member of the Portage Women’s Club for several years. She never cared much for cooking, and she loved the color green.

Unique, determined, and willing to work hard in everything she did, Nila was truly an extraordinary woman to know and love. She was passionate about the things she believed in, and her devotion to her family and friends was unmatched. After spending only a few moments with Nila, it was easy to see that her life was rooted in something different, something deeper, and that something was her vibrant faith. Her favorite place on earth was her church, and there was nothing that was more near and dear to her heart than her family. Nila will never be forgotten.

Nila R. Nichols died on Friday, September 18, 2015. at the age of 75. Nila’s family includes her two children, Jeff (Pam) Nichols, of Vicksburg and Denise (Gary) Blanchard, of Plainwell; four grandsons: Jeff Nichols, of Portage; Justin (Melissa) Nichols, of Portage; Joshua (Meagen) Blanchard, of Plainwell; Pvt 2 Derek Blanchard US Army, stationed in Korea; brother, Dr. Richard Hanlin, of GA; and two nieces: Maria Hanlin, of AZ; Jan Hanlin, of HI and one nephew: Allen Hanlin, of FL. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 10-11a.m. at the Vicksburg United Methodist Church. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. at the church. Please visit Nila’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign her guestbook and share a memory and/or photo. Those who wish may make a contribution to the Vicksburg United Methodist Church.