Cyrus "Bo" R. Nichols

Cyrus Rutherford “Bo” Nichols, 92, of Newman went to meet his Savior April 11, 2026, while being surrounded by his loving family.

Bo was born July 15, 1933 in Newman, IL to George and Eugenia Nichols.  He grew up in Tuscola, IL graduating from Tuscola High School in 1951.  He spent the following year at The Hill School, a preparatory school in Pottstown, PA.  Bo attended DePauw University for 2 years where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.  He completed his education at the University of Illinois studying Agriculture and Park District Management.  He married Barbara Burr Nichols on August 9, 1958 in Ottawa, IL.

Bo spent the next 46 years farming in the Newman area and raising his family.  He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and his three sons, George (Susan) Nichols of Newman; Peter Nichols of Newman; and Bruce (Karen) Nichols of Maryland Heights, MO.  He is also survived by a sister, Janet Bass of Fithian, IL, five grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, nine step-great-grandchildren, eight nieces, three nephews, and many great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mary Weygandt, a brother-in-law, Stephen Bass, a daughter in law, Jackie Nichols, and two nephews, David Stahl and Jeffery Burr.

Bo loved spending time with young people. He was the Scout Master for Troop 72 Cub Scouts and assisted with Troop 72 Boy Scouts as well.  Bo helped coach little league for Newman Summer Ball and was also involved with the Newman United Methodist Youth Fellowship where he helped coordinate camping trips to Turkey Run State Park and took groups to basketball games at the U of I Assembly Hall.

He loved teaching his children and grandchildren life lessons often times using catchy limericks to make things more memorable.  He loved spending the summer months at the family’s cottage on Long Lake in northern Michigan where he entertained family and many friends over the years.

Bo was an avid golfer who believed in the liberal use of mulligans anywhere on the course.  He served as a Director of the Villa Grove State Bank for many years and was a member of the Villa Grove/Newman Masonic Lodge for 71 years.  Bo was a friend of Bill W recently celebrating 44 years of sobriety.  Of particular importance to him were the years he spent as a volunteer helping teens fighting drug and alcohol addictions.

A visitation will be held from 11-2p.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026 with a funeral service beginning at 2 p.m. all at Victory Church in Camargo.  Burial will follow at the Fairfield Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to the Indiana Center for Recovery – Alcohol and Drug Rehab, Shriner Children’s Hospital, or Oakland Landmarks for the Dr. Hiram Rutherford Home.

The family would like to thank Transitions Hospice and Newman Rehab and Health Care Center for their extraordinary loving care given during this time.

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