Clare C. Nickless

NICKLESS, Clare C. of Bay City, Michigan. Loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away Saturday, February 6, 2010 at Bay Medical Care Facility. Age 100 years. The son of the late Walter and Iva (Bellinger) Nickless was born March 27, 1909 in Gladwin, Michigan. Mr. Nickless was a teacher for 43 years in the Bay City School System, and member of M.P.R.S.A., and N.E.A., received his bachelors degree from Central Michigan University and his masters degree from the U of M. Clare enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting and was a big U of M fan. Mr. Nickless is survived by his wife the former Phyllis M. Bickford with whom he was blessed with 75 years of marriage. Two children, Patsy (Michael) Sullivan and Duane (Diane) Nickless; grandchildren, Michael (Cyndi) Sullivan, Todd (Tisha) Sullivan, Teri (Joe) Pietryga, Ashley (Bill) Stevens, Brian (Holly) Nickless, Cathy (Brian) Gehrman and Deanna (Mike) Nesbitt; great grandchildren, Shane, Callie and Riley Sullivan, Tara and Kayla Sullivan, Justin, Jacob and Lauren Pietryga, Bill and his fiancé Lisa, Kasandra Stevens, Josh, Cole and Logan Nickless, Abby, Brady and Caitlin Gehrman, Brendan and Sydney Nesbitt; one sister-in-law, Lorraine Nickless and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents Clare was also preceded in death by two brothers, Neil and Jerry; three sisters, Maxine, Rhea and Beryl; one daughter-in-law, Sandra Nickless. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Bay Medical Care Facility and staff at 2 west for their compassion and care, especially Shawn and his therapist Deanna who was always there for her grandpa. Funeral & committal service took place on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at Christ United Methodist Church. Officiating was Rev. Carol M. Blair-Bouse and Rev. Tom Schomaker with private interment following in Floral Gardens Cemetery. Visitation was at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. on Monday. Memorial cards for Bay Medical Care Facility or Christ United Methodist Church for their landscaping project will be available at the funeral home gephartfuneralhome.com