JOHN R. NICKENS

CHAFFEE -- Funeral service for John R. Nickens of San Antonio, Tex., formerly of Chaffee and a businessman in Southeast Missouri many years, was held Dec. 28 at Hoggard Funeral Home in Piggott, Ark. The Rev. Richard Combs officiated, with burial in Piggott Cemetery.

Nickens, 66 years old, died Monday, Dec. 24, 1990.

He was born Dec. 17, 1924, at Malden, son of John R. and Mary Emma Doggett Nickens. He and the former Frances Louise Gales of Dexter were married Jan. 5, 1943.

Nickens established a sundry and drugstore in Chaffee in 1947. It later grew into a chain known as Nickens Pharmacy, with stores also in Advance, Bloomfield, Dexter and Oran.

He served as a member and president of Chaffee Board of Education 20 years. He had been a member of Chaffee Building and Loan Board, Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Merchants Association, Masonic Lodge, Shriners, United Methodist Men, Rotary, American Legion, VFW, and Elks. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

The Nickens recently moved to San Antonio after 10 years on Sanibel Island, Fla., where he was affiliated with Prudential Florida Real Estate.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Patricia Derryberry of Columbus, Ohio, Linda Dunker of Breese, Ill.; a son, John Nickens III of San Antonio; a half brother, Clyde Hawes of Sikeston; 11 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.