Ernest Cecil 'Ernie/Nick' Nicholson, 58
Ernest Cecil "Ernie/Nick" Nicholson, 58, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007, at his home in Sandpoint, Idaho, surrounded by his grateful family.
Viewing for friends and family will be held from noon until 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 14, 2007, at the Lakeview Funeral Home.
A celebration of Ernie's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15,at the Lakeview Funeral Home with Pastor David Barley of Lord's Covenant Church in Sandpoint officiating.
In honor of Ernie, please dress casual, be comfortable, and come as you are. Burial and military honors will follow at the Pack River Cemetery.
A reception will follow at the Lakeview Funeral Home reception area.
Ernie was born Aug. 18, 1949, in Greensboro, N.C., to Cecil and Elizabeth Nicholson. He graduated from Maury High School in Norfolk, Va. Ernie served four years in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War.
On Nov. 8, 1969, Ernie married the love of his life, Peggy Rudlaff, in Stevensville, Mich. He worked for Avion in Benton Harbor, Mich., and later for Clark Equipment Co. in Buchanan, Mich. In 1979 he opened a Lutheran Mutual Insurance Agency in Rockford, Ill. He retired from the insurance business in 1985 to pursue God's calling.
In 1991 the family moved to Sandpoint, Idaho. Ernie owned Heritage Printers, worked for the Bonner County Daily Bee, and traveled the country as a long-haul truck driver for five years.
He spent the last couple years of his life battling cancer and he received excellent care from the Spokane VA Hospital and the Bonner Community Hospice.
Ernie spent his life following his heart and searching for truth and knowledge. Two of his favorite quotes were, "If you've met someone you didn't like, you should get to know them better," and "It's been quite a party!"
Ernie attended Lord's Covenant Church in Sandpoint and taught Bible study classes with a positive love of Christ and his fellow man. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America Sandpoint Chapter No. 890, and Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. Ernie loved to travel, was loyal to family and friends, and lived his life to serve God and his fellow man. His grandchildren were his joy and he never ceased to smile at their presence. He enjoyed reading, fishing, and was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan.
He is survived by his loving and supportive wife of 38 years, Peggy Nicholson of Sandpoint; a daughter, Laura Paulk of Sandpoint; two sons, Nick (Cindy) Nicholson of Sandpoint and David (Sandi) Nicholson of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; 13 grandchildren, Amanda, Tiberias, Tea-Tephi, Tyke, Sierra, Arielle, Conner, McKinzee, Dannicka, Haley, Emily, Coltan and Gavin; his mother, Elizabeth "Jane" Nicholson of Gulfport, Miss.; two sisters, Cissy (Buddy) Merritt of Chesapeake, Va., and Cindie (George) Holland of Gulfport, Miss.; his mother-in-love, Dolores Rudlaff of Baroda, Mich.; and a loving extended family.
He was preceded in death by his father, Cecil Nicholson; and father-in-love, Elmer Rudlaff.
Ernie was a wonderful husband, dad, papa, son, brother and friend to many. He left the world a better place. He will truly be missed but never forgotten.
Please visit Ernie's memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his online guest book.