Bruno Nickel
November 20th, 1931 - March 29th, 2022
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Bruno's Obituary
Bruno Nickel, 90 of St. Joseph, passed away peacefully in St. Joseph, on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, April 2, at 11 AM at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church, 404 E. Glenlord Rd, St. Joseph. Burial at Riverview Cemetery will be done immediately after the service. Friends may visit with the family on Friday, April 1, from 5 PM until 7 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St Joseph. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Ev. Lutheran Church, https://www.gracestjoseph.org/give. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Bruno was born on November 20, 1931 in Bugrin, Volhynia to the late Heinrich and Erna (Reinhardt) Nickel. His early youth was marked by turmoil and uncertainty due to World War II, including separation from his family at the age of 13. In 1950, he along with his parents and sister Helga, immigrated to Benton Harbor. In 1952, he was drafted and served two years in the armed forces of his new country and was honorably discharged from the United States Army. He proudly became an American citizen in 1954 during his military service. He studied the tool & die trade and received his journeyman card. He worked as a tool & die maker and later as foreman of the tool shop for Wollin Products for 40 plus years, retiring in 1998.
In the spring of 1954, he met his wife, Edith Wolff through friends. They were married on October 20, 1956, at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Benton Harbor, MI. Their marriage was blessed with four children and six grandchildren.
Bruno was a longtime member of Grace Ev. Lutheran Church, serving on boards and volunteering where needed. He was also one of the first members of the St. Joe Kickers Sport Club where he was a soccer player and volunteered as a coach and officer of the club. Bruno enjoyed working on his lawn and fixing things. He always volunteered to help paint or update his children’s homes. Bruno especially enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sporting events, recitals and school activities. He loved any dish Edith prepared and there was not a flavor of ice cream that he could pass up.
In his later years, he and Edith were able to travel the world to such places as Israel, China, Egypt, South America, Alaska, and Europe. They made sure to time their trips around the grandchildren’s births and activities.
Bruno is survived by his wife of 65 years, Edith; children, Edward (Darla) Nickel, H. Michael Nickel, Annette Nickel and John (Lisa) Nickel; six grandchildren, Christopher, Stephen, John Paul (Abigail), Cooper, Karla, and Hank; one sister, Helga (Ernst) Oelke of Stevensville; and many cherished nephews, nieces and cousins here and in Germany.
Bruno was born on November 20, 1931 in Bugrin, Volhynia to the late Heinrich and Erna (Reinhardt) Nickel. His early youth was marked by turmoil and uncertainty due to World War II, including separation from his family at the age of 13. In 1950, he along with his parents and sister Helga, immigrated to Benton Harbor. In 1952, he was drafted and served two years in the armed forces of his new country and was honorably discharged from the United States Army. He proudly became an American citizen in 1954 during his military service. He studied the tool & die trade and received his journeyman card. He worked as a tool & die maker and later as foreman of the tool shop for Wollin Products for 40 plus years, retiring in 1998.
In the spring of 1954, he met his wife, Edith Wolff through friends. They were married on October 20, 1956, at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Benton Harbor, MI. Their marriage was blessed with four children and six grandchildren.
Bruno was a longtime member of Grace Ev. Lutheran Church, serving on boards and volunteering where needed. He was also one of the first members of the St. Joe Kickers Sport Club where he was a soccer player and volunteered as a coach and officer of the club. Bruno enjoyed working on his lawn and fixing things. He always volunteered to help paint or update his children’s homes. Bruno especially enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sporting events, recitals and school activities. He loved any dish Edith prepared and there was not a flavor of ice cream that he could pass up.
In his later years, he and Edith were able to travel the world to such places as Israel, China, Egypt, South America, Alaska, and Europe. They made sure to time their trips around the grandchildren’s births and activities.
Bruno is survived by his wife of 65 years, Edith; children, Edward (Darla) Nickel, H. Michael Nickel, Annette Nickel and John (Lisa) Nickel; six grandchildren, Christopher, Stephen, John Paul (Abigail), Cooper, Karla, and Hank; one sister, Helga (Ernst) Oelke of Stevensville; and many cherished nephews, nieces and cousins here and in Germany.
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