Stanley Lavella Nichols

Independent Enterprise
Thursday, March 06, 2008

An intelligent and honorable gentleman passed away on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at the age of 92. Stanley Lavella Nichols is loved and will be missed by all. Born in Angels Camp, Calif., Stanley led a fruitful life. He maintained a positive outlook at all times and was cordial and respectful in all endeavors.

He spent his early years predominantly in agriculture throughout the West, and for an extended period, he worked for the City of Sunnyvale, Calif., until his retirement there approximately 30 years ago. After retirement, Stan and his first wife, Pearl, traveled throughout North America seeing many sights. They moved to Payette, and participated with the Payette Senior Citizens until Pearl fell ill and passed on.

Through the Seniors’ Center, Stan met Stella Pascavage, and in 1988, they married. They honeymooned in Hawaii and continued to travel and reside in Payette. Stan enjoyed playing pinochle, bingo, taking care of his dog, Jeff, and participating in Seniors’ activities. Stan also enjoyed collecting pocket knives. Four years ago, they moved to Idaho Falls to be closer to family.

Stan was always ready to visit and to go anywhere at anytime he would never say "no." Since moving to Idaho Falls, he did a lot with family and friends. He took wheelchair walks around the greenbelt and visited the open-air markets. He attended ARTI dinner shows, musicals and plays at the Colonial and Community Theaters. He and Stella have regularly taken part in Idaho Falls Senior Citizen activities. They visited Big Springs and the very top of Sawtelle Peak. Stan enjoyed four-wheel mountain drives through Leadore and Medicine Lodge as well as visiting Jackson Hole and staying in Yellowstone Park cabins.

Stanley liked to eat out, and he loved to dance he most recently danced with the bride at his granddaughter Amy and Ryan’s wedding. Even after his eyesight degenerated, he still appreciated the Fourth of July fireworks from his front yard near the river. Stan even enjoyed visiting the doctors’ offices as that was another reason to get out and visit. He was also highlighted in the Idaho Falls Post Register newspaper last year for being probably the oldest beer-tasting participant in the Mountain Brewers’ Beer Fest at Sandy Downs.

Surviving Stan are his wife, Stella Nichols, and those he considered to be his family as follows his children: Becky (Gene) Sims of Aberdeen, WA, Tony (Colleen) Pascavage and Benjamin Pascavage of Idaho Falls; his grandchildren: Amber (Edward) Jolly and Amy (Ryan) Ballain of Idaho Falls, Carrie Anne Lisle and Justin (Jennifer) Sims of Washington State; his great granddaughter: Hannah Jolly of Idaho Falls; and his nephew: Harold Nichols of Iowa. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Pearl, his parents, his brother, his sister, and by Charlie Pascavage of Butte, Mont., who Stan also considered a son.

Services were private, and Stanley’s final resting place is in the Payette Riverside Cemetery with Pearl. Condolences may be expressed to Stanley’s family at 930 Canyon Ave, Idaho Falls, ID 83402. Memorials are recommended to either the Idaho Falls Senior Citizen Center or the Payette Senior Center. We miss you Stan. Arrangements are under the direction of Buck-Miller-Hann Funeral Home in Idaho Falls.