Darlene Marie Nicholas, 89, of Marine, died Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, at her residence in Marine.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 6, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Marine. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 6, at the church, with Father John P. Beveridge, parochial administrator at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Marine, officiating. Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland is assisting the family.
Mrs. Nicholas was born on Thursday, Nov. 9, 1933, in Granite City, the daughter of the late Lester and Ethel (nee Fleet) Beatty. She grew up in that area and attended Granite City High School, where she graduated in 1951. She married Andrew Robert Nicholas at Granite City on Saturday, June 20, 1953, and he preceded her in death on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 1985.
She was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary in Granite City.
Throughout her life, she lived in Granite City, Saginaw, MI, Collinsville, Troy and in Marine from 1970 to 2001. She worked with her daughter at K-9 Groom Room in Troy for 18 years. She retired from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville as a secretary for the school of nursing in 1984.
During her retirement, she volunteered at Charles Gravius Memorial Library in Marine. She enjoyed reading Stephen King novels, having read the complete collection of his works. She enjoyed traveling all over the United States, especially to the Black Hills, Mardi Gras and train trip to San Francisco, CA, often travelling with her cousin, Marta. She collected butterflies, figurines, puzzle books and she also enjoyed rooting for the New Orleans Saints football team.
She is survived by her children of Mark A. (Peggy) Nicholas of Maryville, Kelly J. (Dale) Nemeth of Troy, Lori P. Marron of Collinsville, Kristie A. (special friend Kenneth E. Moss) Plantz of Marine; grandchildren Brittany, Casie, Hillary, Dave, Andrew and Holly; great-grandchildren Grant, Owen, Ivy, Eli, Harper, Adrian and Gwendolyn; very special cousin Marta Landis of Granite City; and very special family friend Nancy Autry of Marine.
She was preceded in death by her father Lester C. Beatty, mother Ethel R. M. Beatty Long (nee Fleet), husband Andrew R. Nicholas, son-in-law Gwain Marron and brothers Coleman Beatty and William Thomas.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Charles Gravius Memorial Library in Marine.
