Dewey Richard “Dick” Nicholl, 80, of Newark passed away Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, at Flint Ridge Nursing Center.
He was born in Bellefontaine on May 19, 1937, to the late Allen Dewey and Lola Iona Kinney Nicholl.
Dick was a 1955 graduate of Bellefontaine High School and was active in Boy Scouts of America, receiving the Order of the Arrow Award. A 1959 graduate of The Ohio State University, Dick received a bachelor of science degree in agriculture and was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
Dick was a veteran of the United States Army and faithfully served his country while working in intelligence for more than three years in France. He received an Army Commendation Award for his service. Following his military service, Dick was employed in the family business, Hartley and Nicholl Inc. in Bellefontaine, which was an International Harvester dealership and hardware store. He later opened his own retail computer store in Bellefontaine, Liberty Computer Inc. which he operated until his retirement in 2002.
Throughout his life, Dick was an active participant in church, civic and music organizations. While living in Bellefontaine, he was a member of the First Methodist Church, the Logannaires Barbershop Chorus, the Community Concert Band, and was on the committee that acquired and began renovations of the historic Holland Theatre, the only Dutch-style atmospheric theater in the United States. He was also a member of the Indian Lake Community Church in Russells Point and worked part-time in sales for WPKO Radio in Russells Point.
After moving to Newark, he became a member of the First United Methodist Church in Newark, where he participated in the Chancel Choir and Bell Choir. Music was a very important part of Dick’s life and he was also a member of Vintage Voices and Granville and New Albany Community Band, where he played the bass clarinet. He also enjoyed playing the cello and piano and was especially fond of his player piano, which he had restored.
Dick was very proud of the “neighborliness” of his 10th Street neighborhood in Newark. Dick was also active with the Licking County Aging Program, and donated one of his pianos to the Y.E.S. Club for their use and enjoyment.
He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Jeanine and James Joseph of Johnstown; son, Chris Nicholl of Richmond, Va.; grandchildren, Graeme Emerson Nicholl of Albuquerque, N.M., and Mackenzie and Sarah Joseph of Johnstown; sisters, Mary Jane Lautenbach of Boston, Mass., and Nancy (Levi) Lile of Bellefontaine; former wife, Judy Nicholl of Heath; several nieces and nephews and cousins; and special friend, Doris Brown.
Preceding him in death were his sister, Annabel Mason, and brothers-in-law, Edwin Mason and Walter Lautenbach.
Burial will be in Highland Memorial Cemetery, West Liberty with services at a later date.
Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral and Cremation Service in Newark is handling arrangements. Visit www.crisswagnerhoskinson.com to share a special memory about Dick or to sign an online guest book.