Charlotte Foster Nichols

Charlotte Foster Nichols, age 84, of Gilson, Illinois died on Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at OSF St. Francis, Peoria, Illinois.

 She was born on September 1, 1931 in Monmouth, Illinois, the daughter of Samuel and Ruth Totten Foster.  She married John V. (Jack) Nichols on July 3, 1954 in Pasadena, Texas. 

Charlotte is survived by her devoted husband of sixty one years, Jack; her children, John (Becky) Nichols of Oneida, Joseph (Deb) Nichols of Knoxville, Catherine Nichols of Galesburg, Carrie (Tom) Shull of Knoxville and Ann Marie (John) Bindseil of St. Charles; ten grandchildren: Christopher (Tasha) Johnson, Kate (Michael Foster) Johnson, Sam (Sarah) Nichols, Joey (Emily) Nichols, Rachell Swise, Rebecca (Derrick Kreps) Swise, Paul (Katy) Nichols, Britta (Mitch Johnson) Nichols, T.J. Bindseil, Isabelle Bindseil, and eleven great-grandchildren: Hunter, Gunnar, and Alexandra Johnson, Pyeper Nichole and Ryelee Charlotte Hurd, Braylen Kreps, Jackson, Logan, and Cassandra Nichols, Max and Macy Nichols; her sister, Ginny (Jack) Alderson of Galesburg and sisters-in-law, Dorothy/Eugene Foster, Barbara/Gary Foster, and Patricia Nichols Riggs. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers; Eugene Foster and Gary Foster. She is also survived by a treasured friend, Nancy Steepleton.

Charlotte spent her earliest years in Alexis, IL.  The family then moved to Galesburg.  She graduated from Galesburg High School in 1949.  After graduating from high school she worked for the Bank of Galesburg for two years. She then attended United Airlines Stewardess Training in Cheyenne, Wyoming.  Charlotte loved working for United Airlines from 1952 through 1954.  While raising their family in St. Louis, Missouri, she worked for Creve Coeur Bank. Charlotte then worked for Eagle Food Store from 1974 through 1992 and made many wonderful friends.

 

In 1973 the family realized a dream when they moved from St. Louis to a farm outside of Knoxville, Illinois. It was on the farm that Charlotte she spent her happiest hours. She was devoted to their herd of seventy cows. She was cheerfully responsible for their feed and water and she assisted with many births. She loved to watch the new calves and their mothers as they grazed the pastures surrounding her home. She loved all her animals, large and small, with the possible exception of the blasted peacock. She also spent countless hours in their garden, planting, nurturing and picking the harvest of vegetables and fruits. She turned the bounty into jams and jellies that she shared as gifts of love to her family. She cherished the hours that she spent walking in the woods picking wildflowers and wild berries with her beloved grandchildren.  She also met wonderful neighbors and developed special friendships.  

Private graveside funeral services will be held on Monday, October 12, 2015 at the Haynes Cemetery, rural Delong, Illinois.   Visitation will be held from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. on Sunday, October 11, 2015 at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes & Crematory in Knoxville, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the Galesburg Rescue Mission.   On-line condolences or sympathy cards may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com