Michael Nichols

Michael G. "Mike" Nichols, 70, died March 5, 2008 at his Long Beach residence following a lengthy battle with cancer. The son of Marcus and Victoria (Nelson) Nichols, he was born June 9, 1937 in Astoria, Oregon. He attended grammar school in Washington state and high school in California. Shortly after high school graduation he returned to Washington state and married his wife Earlene. They made their first home in Redwood City, California where Mike was a machinist for Ampex Corporation. In 1964 they returned to Washington state, settling on the Long Beach Peninsula. He worked as Sedy's mill, Art's Auto Parts, and for his great uncle Charles Nelson in his cranberry bog. In 1975 he purchased a small cranberry farm which he operated until retirement in 1995. Mike loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting, and taking his family and friends on boat rides on Willapa Bay and over to Long Island. He and his three sons began competing in motocross races in the late 1960s which the sons and grandson are still involved in. Mike also coached his sons Little League baseball team. He designed and built cranberry beaters which are used during harvest. Many of the local farmers use his design and he was often consulted by his fellow farmers to help solve harvesting problems. Mike is survived by his wife Earlene; sons Jerry and Philip both of Vancouver, WA and Michael of Long Beach; daughter Laura of Long Beach; mother Victoria Nichols of Vancouver; seven granddaughters, three grandsons and three great-grandchildren whom he adored. He enjoyed spending time with his entire family and numerous friends, one of whom was a life-long friend Phillip Stamp of Nahcotta. He was preceded in death by his father Marcus, sister Polly Janus and twin granddaughters Lee Ann and Kristen Hill. Celebration of his life will be Saturday, March 22, 2008, 11:00 AM at the Peninsula Church Center in Seaview. A reception follows in the church social hall. Private committal will be at Oysterville Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to either Harbors Home Health and Hospice or the Peninsula Boys and Girls Club in care of Penttila's Chapel, PO Box 417, Long Beach, WA 98631. Please sign the guestbook at www.penttilaschapel