Freida Irene Nichols, 98, Columbia City, passed away at 10:45 a.m. Friday, May 12 at her home. Born January 22, 1919 in Huntington, she was the daughter of Clarence Harrison and Ethel Mae  (Reiger) Miller.

Irene graduated from Huntington High School with the Class of 1937. During the WWII, she worked at Blue Bell in Columbia City. On March 19, 1949, she married Ralph Nichols. She had been a member of Thorncreek Bethel Church of God, the Eagles, Moose, VFW and a charter member of Thorncreek Fire Department and their Auxiliary.

Survivors include her daughters, Jeanne Simmons, Columbia City, Karen (John) Sheets, Etna, and Diane (Richard) Claypool, Merriam; sister, Mary Boyd, Huntington; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; six brothers; and four sisters.

Visitation is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 16 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services are 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with Certified Funeral Celebrant Sharon Brockhaus officiating. Burial will follow at South Park (Annex) Cemetery.