Mary Jane Nichols, 97, of Granite City, Illinois went to be with her Lord and Savior at 7:24 p.m. on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at Gateway Regional Medical Center in Granite City. She was born December 12, 1926, in Bassett, Arkansas, a daughter of the late William C. “Bill LaRue and the late May Belle (Simpson) LaRue Smithe. She married Lynn “Nick” Nichols on May 22, 1946, and they resided in Steele, Missouri until they moved to Granite City where work was plentiful. He passed away on February 5, 2020. Mary Jane was a faithful member of City Temple Assembly of God Church in Granite City and was active in church from a young age. She had worked in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and the Woman’s Ministries through the years. She enjoyed her days of gardening, tending to her home and attending many senior citizens dinners and programs. She is survived by a son, Robert W. Nichols; two granddaughters, Jessica (Paul) Drahos and Brianna Nichols; a grandson, Ryan (Hanna) Nichols; a sister, Janis Molder; nieces; nephews; other extended family and many friends. In addition to her beloved husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a son, David Nichols; a sister, Jo Margaret McClelland and four brothers, William LaRue Jr., Richard LaRue, Jerry LaRue and Oliver LaRue.
In celebration of her life, visitation will be at Irwin Chapel, 3960 Maryville Road in Granite City on Friday, June 28, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. until time of funeral service at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend Sam Hart officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Hill Memorial Estates in Glen Carbon. Memorials may be made to City Temple Assembly of God Church and may be accepted at the funeral chapel. www.irwinchapel.com
