NICHOLS, Donald L. 1989-2011
NICHOLS, SECOR, MILLER, POOCK, BUCHHOLZ, BLISS
Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 11/12/2013 at 23:51:18
[Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Thursday, April 21, 2011]
Spc. Donald L. "Donny" Nichols, 21, of Shell Rock, died Wednesday, April 13, 2011, in the Mehtar Lam District of Laghman Province of Afghanistan, while serving his country on active duty with the Iowa Army National Guard.
Donny was born on Sept. 3, 1989, in Waterloo, the son of Jeffrey and Jeanie Kay (Secor) Nichols and Becky Sue (Miller) and Roger Poock. Donny attended the Waverly-Shell Rock School System, graduating in 2009. He attended basic training for the military between his junior and senior years, and in the summer of 2009, Donny was shipped to A.I.T. to complete infantry training. He reported to his mobilization station at Camp Shelby, Miss., in August of 2010 for mobilization training. The unit arrived in Afghanistan in October of 2010, where he provided full-spectrum operations in a combat theater, including lethal and non-lethal capabilities, support to Afghan National Army and Police units and assistance to humanitarian relief initiatives. Donny was a member of the Waterloo Headquarters Company 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division. Prior to his mobilization, Donny worked at Wal-Mart and Wartburg College in the summer.
Donny enjoyed riding his ATV with his parents and brothers, mudding with his Jeep, shooting his 30.06, playing high school football and wrestling, art, enjoyed a good game of poker, and canoeing with Chelsey. He was an avid Minnesota Vikings fan and loved watching his favorite player, Jarred Allen. Donny will be remembered for his sense of humor, his "snarky" attitude, his love for his family, friends and his country with great pride. Donny lived his life by this quote, "It's not how hard you get knocked down, it's about how quick you get up and keep on fighting."
He is survived by his father and mother, Jeff and Jeanie Nichols of Shell Rock; his mother and father, Becky and Roger Poock of Waterloo; his fiancee, Chelsey Bliss of Waverly; three brothers, Joseph Nichols of Waterloo, who is currently a combat engineer with the Army Reserves stationed in Afghanistan, Nicholas Nichols of Waterloo and Billy (Jen) Catone and family of Dubuque; a stepbrother, John (Missy) Poock and family of Waterloo; two stepsisters, Tammy (Eric) Poock and family of Waterloo and Pamela Poock of Chicago; grandmothers, Kay Secor of Evansdale and Carol Buchholz of Waterloo; grandfather, Donald L. Nichols of Waterloo; two nieces, Alexis of Waterloo and Danielle of Dubuque; several close aunts, uncles and cousins; and a host of friends.
Donny was preceded in death by his Grandmother and Grandfather Miller; Grandfather Secor; and his cousin, USMC Joseph William Peterson.
Military funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 23, at 10 a.m. at the Waverly-Shell Rock High School Gymnasium (1415 4th Ave. S.W.) with Chaplain Crawford officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Cedar Falls, with full military honors conducted by the Waterloo Headquarters Company 1-133. Public visitation will be held on Friday, April 22, from 4 until 8 p.m. at Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home, Waverly. Memorials may be directed to the Nichols or Poock families.
Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
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