James Ernest Nichols, 71, Valley Falls, died Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016, at a Topeka hospital.

He was born Dec. 28, 1944, at Leavenworth, the son of Wallace and Elizabeth Paige Nichols. He graduated from Nortonville High School. He served in the US Army and attained the rank of Sergeant.

Jim worked at Santa Fe Railroad in Topeka for 38 years as a Security Officer and also in the Shipping and Receiving Department. He was a member of American Legion Topeka North Post 400 and had attended the Christian Church in Valley Falls.

He was preceded in death by his son, Travis Nichols, father, Wallace Nichols, brother, Carl Nichols, and step-father Glenn Dimick.

Survivors include two sons, Tony (Penny) Nichols and Terry (Debbie) Nichols, and his daughter, Teresa (Barry) Lassiter, all of Valley Falls; his mother, Elizabeth Dimick, and brother, Raymond Nichols, both of Atchison;  step-brother, Ray Dimick, Lincoln, NE; step-sister, Joyce Stillings, Topeka; 13 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

A Graveside Service will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016, at the Nortonville Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by Grahem-Herbers Post 3084, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, at Mercer Funeral Home in Valley Falls.

Memorial contributions may be made to Jefferson County EMS District 11 or Jefferson County Humane Society and sent c/o Mercer Funeral Home, PO Box 6, Valley Falls, KS 66088. Online condolences are welcome at www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.