Helen Jane (Nelson) Nicol

Helen Jane Nicol, 98, of Little York, IL passed away at 9:15 am, Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at the Heartland Health Care Center, Galesburg.

She was born January 22, 1922 in Cameron, IL the daughter of Harold Sr. and Mary Jane (McKelvey) Nelson. She was raised and educated in Cameron and graduated from Monmouth High School in 1941.

Helen Jane married George Richard Nicol at the First Christian Church in Monmouth on June 13, 1948 and he died June 2, 1991.

She worked for Illinois Bankers Life Assurance Co. in Monmouth and later worked for Nicol Farm Service where she served as Secretary and Co-Owner.  Most of all she was a homemaker and farm wife.

She was a member of the former Little York United Methodist Church and currently attended the Little Cedar Church in Little York.  She was a founding member of the Little York Farmerettes.  She enjoyed gardening and being outdoors, playing cards and meeting with friends for coffee and dinners.  Her family was her true love and joy.  She was the keeper and organizer of the many family traditions.  “Grandma Jane” was well known by many for her cookies.

Survivors include her daughter, Mary Ann (Barry) McCann-Free of Seaton, IL; her son, Sean Alan Nicol of Omaha, NE; daughter in law, Patty (Glenn) Nicol-Johnson of Monmouth, IL; 6 grandchildren, Lindsay (Jared) Higgerson of Rio, IL, Corey McCann of Knoxville, IL, Melissa (Jerry) Flower of San Antonio, TX, Ashley (Ty) Dermer of Monmouth, IL, Jenny (Jeff) Jensen of Roseville, IL and Eric Nicol of Monmouth, IL; 11 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband; son, Richard Gilmore Nicol; her brother, Harold Nelson, Jr; her sister, Gertrude Hickok; son in law, John McCann.

A private family interment will take place at Warren County Memorial Park, Monmouth, IL.  Memorials may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Hospice Compassus and may be sent to the Funeral Home. McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL, is in charge of the arrangements.