Hershel Alvin Nichols, 89, of Piggott died Thursday, Nov. 10, 2005, in Conway.

He was born Nov. 13, 1915, in Piggott, the son of the late Joe and Lora Lewis Nichols.

He was united in marriage to Christola Kirk on June 7, 1941. They had two children.

He served in the United States Army from Dec. 26, 1942, until he was honorably discharged on Nov. 3, 1945. During this military service, he received five bronze stars for participation in campaigns in Central Europe, Normandy and Northern France. He was a farmer and a life-long member of the St. Francis United Methodist Church. He was a 50-year member of the Eastern Star Masonic Lodge Number 207.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Christola Nichols, on Dec. 31, 1992; four brothers and three sisters, Jack Nichols, Imogene Hammett, Beth Somers, Joe Nichols, Charlene Williams, Lewis Presley Nichols and Jerry Williams Nichols.

He is survived by one son, Kirk Nichols and wife, Linda, his daughter, Katherine Butt and husband, Paul, all of Conway; three grandchildren, Sheryl A. Nichols Cash and husband, Wade, Jeff K. Nichols and wife, Kelly, and Lindsay Butt; three great-grandchildren, Mylan Nichols, Vaeya Nichols and Cole Cash; one sister, Laurene Skidmore of Beebe; one brother, Jim Nichols and wife, Betty, of Warsaw, Ky.; special friend, Edith Mohler; and many other nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005, in the Hoggard and Sons Chapel with Willyne Thompson Jordan officiating. Burial followed in the Cummins Chapel Cemetery, where a Masonic service was held. Pallbearers were Terry Cato, Darrell McCrillis, Ed Morris, Jeff Nichols, Wade Cash, Jim Cobb and Gary Nichols.

Hoggard and Sons Funeral Home of Piggott was in charge of the arrangements.