Verna Mae Nichols, age 78 of Elwood, died Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at Summit Convalescent Center in Summitville surrounded by her family following an extended illness. She was born on March 21, 1935 in Elwood, the daughter of Vernon L. and Nellie W. (McQuitty) Knotts. She formerly worked at General Tire Corporation (Gen Corp) in quality control and retired in 1989 after 27 years of service. Verna attended Wendell L. Willkie High School in Elwood. She married John Eugene Nichols on June 13, 1980 and shared 16 years together before his passing in May of 1996. Verna was a member of the Madison Christian Church in Frankton and dearly loved her adopted church family at the Summitville Baptist Church. She was also an active member of the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary since 1984. She enjoyed making primitive jars, crocheting, cooking, and listening to music. Verna especially liked camping at Hidden Lake and spending time with her family and teaching them many life lessons.

Verna's family includes 3 children, Pamela Sue (husband Mick) Fields of Summitville, Robin Lorraine (husband Wayne) Rupe of Aroma, and Kenneth L. (wife Joy) Morris of Waldo, Wisconsin; step-son, Bill (wife Nancy) Nichols of Elwood; 7 siblings, Phyllis Johns of Tipton, Mary Lou Walker of Frankfort, Deloris Barnes of Anderson, Bob (wife Carolyn) Knotts of Elwood, Virginia Ozenbaugh of Elwood, Danny Joe (wife Molly) Knotts of Noblesville, and Gary (wife Sue) Knotts of Fishers; 5 grandchildren, Jason, Crystal, Heather, Kyla, and Sam; 3 great-grandchildren, Mercedes, Austin, and Jessie; 4 step-grandchildren, Audra, Kelsey, Rachel, and Sarah; 2 step-great-grandchildren; a step-great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John Eugene Nichols; a daughter, Diana Lynn Wright; and a granddaughter, Crystal Rene Fields.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 6, 2013 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Pastor Dennis Roberts officiating. Burial will follow in the Vinson Cemetery in Summitville. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturday prior to the funeral at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Summitville Baptist Church trough the funeral home. Online condolences to the family may be made at: www.copherfeslermay.com.