Darrell Kenneth Nichols, 91, surrounded by his family, returned to his loving Father in Heaven and was reunited with his sweetheart on December 13, 2025.

Darrell was born on March 18, 1934, in Springfield, Illinois, to Dorothy Mae Stogdell Nichols and Buryl Kenneth Nichols. He was the oldest of three boys.

He grew up roaming the countryside of Sangamon County, where both sets of grandparents owned land. Darrell attended a small two-room country school and spent his childhood playing in the Sangamon River and Buckhart Creek, exploring the timber with his brothers, Ronald and Richard, along with many cousins and friends.

In 1951, at the age of 17, Darrell joined the United States Navy, where he served during the Korean Conflict and into the early years of the Vietnam Crisis. While serving in the Navy, he became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After completing his military service, he moved to Utah to attend college. Darrell went to the University of Utah for Engineering and began a career working for the United States Air Force at Hill Air Force Base, where he faithfully served for 35 years as a draftsman before retiring in 1993.

On November 4, 1955, Darrell was married and sealed for time and all eternity to Lola Hazel Thompson in the Salt Lake City Utah Temple. Together they raised a loving family. They were blessed with two children, Michael and Colette, and later expanded their family through the Lamanite Placement Program, welcoming Marilyn Dennison and Alfrieda Poyer. Their family grew further through a Brazilian Foreign Exchange Student Program, welcoming Francisco Dal Fabbro, Fernando Dal Fabbro, Tais Bonilha, Sergio, and Bernardo.

Darrell designed a home which he and Lola built in Syracuse, Utah. They lived there for 45 years where they tended a large garden and cared for horses, chickens, rabbits, dogs, cats, and cows.

Darrell was an avid reader with a particular love for westerns and history. He built a personal library of more than 4,000 books — every one of which he read. He also enjoyed collecting trains and model cars. Above all, Darrell loved spending time with his family and creating memories through adventures such as camping, fishing, boating, skiing, and traveling. His travels included Disneyland, Chicago, Yellowstone, Marsh Lake, Nauvoo, Springfield, Illinois, Flaming Gorge, Lake Powell, Branson, Missouri, Mesa Verde, the Grand Canyon, multiple Alaskan cruises, Hawaii, Disney World, a Caribbean cruise, and a Panama Canal cruise.

A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Darrell and Lola served a mission at the Church History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, where they documented the travels of early pioneers. Originally called to serve for six months, they extended their mission multiple times, ultimately serving for 17 years. They would have continued serving had it not been for the pandemic, which temporarily closed the Church History Building.

Darrell was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lola Nichols, and his parents, Dorothy and Buryl Nichols.

He is survived by his brothers, Ronald Nichols of Illinois and Richard Nichols of Florida; his son, Michael (Sharon) Nichols of West Jordan; his daughter, Colette (Eric) Mosher of North Ogden; 10 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Lindquist’s Syracuse Mortuary, 869 S. 2000 W., Syracuse, Utah. Friends may visit with the family from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service at the mortuary. Interment will follow at Syracuse City Cemetery.