Dorothy JoAnn Nichols, 73, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, passed from this world peacefully, surrounded by family, at 1:07 P.M. October 31, 2009. JoAnn was born in Akron, Ohio August 9, 1936, to the late Walter Freeman and Rosalie Elenore Sanders. 

She graduated from St. Vincent�s Parochial School in Akron, Ohio in 1954. On May 21, 1955, at St. Martha�s Catholic Church, she married her husband of 54 years Kenneth Nichols, Jr., who survives. 

Retired from Siemens, Mrs. Nichols was a lifetime member of the Catholic Church and a longtime member of St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church. She enjoyed cooking, shopping and doting on her two grandsons. 

She is survived by her husband Kenneth; daughter Michele Louise Nichols of Zanesfield, Ohio; a son, Christopher Freeman Nichols of Bellefontaine, a daughter, Therese Ann (Scott Richard) Donnelly of Bellefontaine; grandsons, Josef Andrew (Cavelyn) Donnelly of Federated States of Micronesia, and Christopher Scott Donnelly of Bellefontaine; brothers, Norman (Marlene) Russell, Marvin Nichols and Walter (Thelma) Roby. She is also survived by countless nephews and nieces. JoAnn was preceded in death by eight brothers and a sister.  

Father Harold Kist will conduct a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, November 4, 2009, at the St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church in Russells Point, Ohio. Calling hours are Tuesday, November 3, 2009, from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine, Ohio. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Bellefontaine, Ohio.

Online condolences to the family may be expressed from www.eichholtzfuneralhome.com