Elton Allen Nichols, 71, Former Captian of Eaton Township Fire Department

He was born January 6, 1933 in Grafton Township and had lived his entire life in the area.

Elton was a life long member of North Eaton Christian Church (Disciples). He served on the Eaton Township Fire Dept. and retired as captain after 33 years of service. He was a 55 year member of the Eaton Grange and served 14 years as Lorain County Grange Deputy. He was very active in the Ohio State Grange and National Grange. He belonged to the Lorain County Farm Bureau and was a former member of the Ag Council. Mr. Nichols enjoyed working the Grange Cafeteria at the Lorain County Fair.

Mr. Nichols was a 1951 Eaton High School graduate, and served two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He retired after 35 years of service with the U.S. Post Office where he was a rural carrier.

Elton is survived by his wife: Norma (nee Hawke) to whom he has been married to for 50 years; his daughter: Charlene Nichols of Eaton Twp.; a son: Tom (Rose) Nichols of Clovis, California; a granddaughter; a sister: Ethel Banks of Kentucky; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Louis and Metta Nichols.

Friends may call the Blackburn-Duke Funeral Home; 1021 Main St., Grafton on Saturday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Grange services will be held at 8 p.m.

Funeral services will be Monday at 11 a.m. in the North Eaton Christian Church (Disciples); 35895 East Royalton Road, in Eaton Twp. Dr. Paul Durbin, pastor. And Lay Minister Judy Pointing will officiate. Burial will be in Butternut Ridge Cemetery, Eaton Twp.