Joy L. Nichols, 81, of Ruth Court in Niles, died at 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph following a brief illness.

Mrs. Nichols was born Feb. 25, 1929 in Mountain Lake, Minn. to Christ and Anna (Penner) Hansen. Joy graduated from Niles High School and lived in Niles most of her life. She retired after 41 years of service at 5th/3rd Bank and its predecessors.

She was a member of United Methodist Church in Niles. She volunteered with Pawating Auxiliary at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles. She was an avid reader of fiction.

On Oct. 23, 1954 in Niles, she married Norman J. “Bud” Nichols, who survives. Surviving family also includes their daughter, Tamalee (Darrell) Eisenhart of St. Joseph; granddaughter, Melissa (Matt) Binns; grandson, David Eisenhart; great-grandchildren, Fallon and Torah Binns; siblings, Yetive Carr of Cassopolis, Vicki Bliss of Grand Rapids, Gene Hansen of Niles, Donald Hansen of Seaford, Del., Jan “Pat” Hansen of Richmond, Va. and Lonnie Hansen of Cypress, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Nichols was preceded in death by her siblings, Sharon Hansen, Gladys Ray, Harry Hansen, Christ Hansen and Jerry Hansen, Sr.

Funeral services for Joy L. Nichols will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 19, 2010 at Grace United Methodist Church in Niles with Dr. Anthony Tomasino of the church officiating.

Interment will be at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens in Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Joy may be made to Grace United Methodist Church or the donor’s choice.