Maurice H. "Nick" Nichols, 78, of South Hutchinson, died July 9, 2012, at Hospice House in Hutchinson.

Nick was born Oct. 2, 1933, at Ratliff, Miss., the son of Dewey E. and Ruby Jewell Pierce Nichols.

He graduated from Nickerson High School in 1951 and later from Grossmont College in San Diego, Calif. Nick was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp., having served in both Korea and Vietnam, and retired after 20 years as a Gunnery Sergeant. Later, he worked in plant maintenance at Ineeda Cleaners, and retired as Power Plant Manager at Hutchinson Correctional Facility. He was a member of Westside Baptist Church.

Nick married Norma Jean Long on July 2, 1954, in Willowbrook, Calif. She survives.

Other survivors include: two sons, Bruce Nichols and his wife Sherri, and Jeff Nichols and his wife Dawn; and three grandchildren, Amber Nichols, Caleb Nichols and Sierra Nichols, all of Hutchinson. Nick was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Richard E. Nichols and Dewey E. Nichols Jr.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 13, 2012, at Westside Baptist Church with Pastor Tim Adrian presiding. Burial will be in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hutchinson. Graveside military honors will be provided by the U.S. Marine Corp. Honor Guard. Nick will lie in state from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and the family will greet friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, all at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorial contributions may be made to Westside Baptist Church-Missions Fund, sent in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501