Bruce R. Nicholas, 80, of Millheim departed from this life on Dec. 15, 2009, at his home in Millheim. Bruce, the son of the late W. Clair and Maude C. Stover Nicholas, was born in Haines Township on August 10, 1929.
He was a 1947 graduate of East Penn's Valley High School. Bruce married the love of his life, Marjorie Bower, on Oct. 16, 1952. Mrs. Nicholas survives at their home in Millheim. Bruce served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was a carpenter and had farmed in Penn Township. Bruce retired from Hosterman and Stover hardware store after 35 years as a serviceman.
After his retirement, Bruce spent many hours in his workshop. He enjoyed bowling on Monday and Thursday at Millheim Lanes. During the warm summer months, he and Marjorie enjoyed traveling around the area on his trike, including participating in a fund raising event for the Janet Weis Children's Hospital in honor of his grandson, Dustin. In the fall and winter months, Bruce enjoyed traveling to different high schools' to watch his grandchildren in various sporting events and also he enjoyed going hunting. Bruce was a member of the St. John's Lutheran Church, the Millheim Fireman's, the Millheim Lion's Club and the Millheim Legion.
In addition to his wife, Bruce is survived by three daughters, Donna Stover and husband, Daniel, Denise Immel and partner, Mark Walizer, and Diane Brown and husband, Max, all of Spring Mills; one son, Douglas Nicholas, of Millheim; 10 grandchildren, Danielle Neumann and husband, Sean, Jeremy and Vincent Stover, Erik and Daniel Nicholas, David Immel, Darcy Houseknecht and husband, Adam, Nicholas and Nate Brown, Jamie Tracy and husband, Kevin; and two great grandchildren, Regan Houseknecht and Josey Rose Tracy. Bruce was preceded in death by a grandson, Dustin Stover.
Family and friends will be received on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009, from 6-7 p.m. at the Steven R. Neff Funeral Home in Millheim. A memorial service will follow immediately at 7 p.m. with Rev. Leroy Reitz officiating. Burial will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions in Bruce's memory may be given to Janet Weis Memorial Hospital, Pediatric Unit, 100 North Academy Ave, Danville, PA 17822 or to Centre Volunteers in Medicine, 2520 Green Tech Dr., State College, PA 16803.