Gladys Marie Nichols, 86, of Charleston, Illinois passed away on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at the Villas of Holly Brook in Charleston, Illinois. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, October 6, 2022 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until time of service with Pastor David Beerbower presiding. Burial will be in the Mound Cemetery in Charleston. Memorials in her honor may be made to the Charleston Carnegie Public Library and left at the visitation/service or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL  61920.

Gladys was born on February 7, 1936 in Bushton, Illinois the daughter of Robert and Olive (Courtney) Cole. She married Robert N. Nichols in October of 1955 and he preceded her in death on March 13, 1993. Gladys is survived by her two sons, Phil “Porky” (Donna) Nichols and Paul “Cooter” Nichols all of Charleston, Illinois; grandchildren, Shannon (Chris) Gawel and John (Amy) Nichols all of Charleston, Illinois; great grandchildren, Emily Walters (Wade), Katy Reynolds, Ethan Nichols, Emma Nichols, and Carter Nichols all of Charleston, Illinois; siblings, Virginia (Ed) Buchanan of Charleston, Illinois, William (Ethel) Cole of Manteno, Illinois, Kenny Cole of Charleston, Illinois, Fred (Shirley) Cole of Effingham, Illinois, Judy Cole of Naperville, Illinois, and Larry (Debbie) Cole of Mattoon, Illinois; two sisters-in-law, Maxine and Kathy Cole; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Gertrude Bailey, Marjorie Cole, Dick Cole, Ronnie Cole, Ralph Cole, Jim Cole, and Harold “Butch” Cole. 

Gladys attended Charleston High School and was a graduate from the class of 1954. She worked for the United States Postal Service as a rural mail carrier for several years before retiring in 1998. She was an avid reader, enjoyed knitting, and a Chicago Cubs fan. Her family was her world and she cherished all time spent with them. 

The family would like to extend a special thanks to The Villas of Holly Brook staff for all their care.