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Lawrence J. Nicklas, Jr. | 91
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Lawrence J. Nicklas, Jr., a lifelong resident of St. Marys, passed away on Sunday, October 15, 2023 at Penn Highlands Elk at the age of 91.
Lawrence was born on April 19, 1932 in St. Marys at 526 Chestnut Street, son of the late Lawrence Sr. and Eleanor (Simbeck) Nicklas.
He was a 1950 graduate of St. Marys Public High School. He met the late Shirley (Schreiber) Nicklas, his future wife, in 1949 at the Fox’s Skating Rink. The couple married on October 25, 1952 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last fall. She preceded him in death on June 4, 2023.
Lawrence was a veteran of the Korean War, serving two years in the U.S. Army as a Quartermaster from January 1953 until December 1954. He trained at Fort Lee, Virginia, and was later shipped to France. He then served 8 years in the Army Reserves and was Honorably Discharged on February 2, 1961. Later he was a tool and die maker at Stackpole Carbon Company and was also a first class car mechanic. Lawrence retired April 19, 1994 from Carbone of America (formerly Stackpole.)
Lawrence had a passion for cars and enjoyed his time outdoors in nature. If anyone ever knew him, he would always be found in his garage working on cars or outside with a chainsaw in his hands.
Lawrence is survived by his daughters Debby (Daniel Taylor) and Darlene Lynch, both of St. Marys; his four grandchildren Cary (Haitham) of Port Matilda, Corry (Kristen) of Ridgway, and Alyson and Nicklas Lynch, both of St. Marys; and one great-granddaughter, Rylee.
In addition to his wife and parents, Lawrence was preceded in death by his younger brother Earl “Snuffy” Nicklas. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
A funeral service will be held at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. with the Rev. Thomas Curry, OSB, officiating. Full military rites will be accorded by the St. Marys Servicemen’s Burial Detail. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
A visitation will be held for family and friends at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials, if desired, may be made to the America Legion Post #103, 168 Center Street, St. Marys, PA 15857; the Crystal Fire Department, 319 Erie Avenue, St. Marys, PA 15857; and the Elk County Humane Society, 1029 E. Eschbach Road, St. Marys, PA 15857.
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So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Debbie, Darlene and family,
I am truly sorry to hear that your father passed away. Your lives are torn apart here on earth, but your Dad’s life is now complete here and he has moved on to complete his family in Heaven. Today, he walks with his mom and dad, his brother his wife, cousins and friends. Though sadness overwhelms us, sadness should be short lived and I hope happiness takes its place quickly, knowing your Dad is with all those that have gone on before; all those patiently waiting in Heaven for the Lord to call him home. Your Dad is free of pain and suffering and no more to roam alone, he is home.
I pray that the Lord places His hands on your shoulders as He steadies you in these difficult times. I also pray that He touches and mends your broken hearts. There is no easy way to say good bye to a loved one, and nor should we. Keep your dad alive in your hearts and minds. Look back on all the years that you spent together, remember all, and forget only what should be forgotten.
Build a castle in your minds and fill the rooms with all the memories built together, the memories are the foundation of the castle. There is one room that should be built, but should not stay occupied for long. This room is called forgiveness. The room of forgiveness will be the hardest to enter, but should be the easiest to leave. Spend as much time in there as necessary, and here is where to leave the tears and everything else that should be left behind. You will enter with a heavy load and exit much lighter as everything you carry in will be lifted off your shoulders, placed in the room of forgiveness to carry no more. When you are ready, leave this room, close the door gently, and never go back.
The remaining rooms should be filled wall to wall with the joys and happiness of childhood; memories of all the glory that you got to share with him from birth to present day. Visit these rooms often, and if you cry upon entering, cry out of happiness not of sorrow. Always remember he’s not really gone, he’s just gone on before.
My words cannot fill the voids in your life, but his memories can. Know, that we will all one day walk together again with all those that have gone on before. There is a song that I listen to that has a profound message and I hope when time allows, you’ll play it and listen closely to each word. The song is called gone on before, by Larry Cordle, the link is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnR9dDdQ0lQ
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in these difficult days. Lift you head up and look for him in the stars. Turn your head and listen for him in the breeze. He’s not really gone, just gone on before.
Love Mark and Veronique Nicklas
Thoughts and prayers to the family.