Roland Jean Nicholas

Roland Jean Nicholas of Hastings, Michigan died on December 29, 2020 six days away from his 95 th birthday.  He was born on January 4, 1926 in Detroit, Michigan the son of Eugene H. and Gladys (Stone) Nicholas.  He was a 1944 graduate of Redford High School in Michigan and then went on to obtain a degree from Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota.  He married DeEtta Louise Menke on May 24, 1949 in a small rural church in Carter, South Dakota.  They moved to Plymouth, Michigan where they lived and raised four children. He took a job with Burroughs Corporation as a quality control analyst for 33 years until he retired in 1984.  He then moved with his wife to his favorite place on the Tittabawassee River in Gladwin, Michigan.  Hobbies included piloting a Cessna 150 airplane, fishing, hunting at his lodge in Iron Mountain, Michigan.  He and his wife attended church regularly and were very active with several square dance clubs in the area for over 30 years.  He also enjoyed playing cards and loved to entertain the many friends and family in their lives.

Roland was preceded in death by his wife DeEtta Nicholas of 71 years, his parents Eugene and Gladys Nicholas, stepmother Laura Nicholas, sister Dorothy Noblet, brother Harold Nicholas, half-sister Cheryl Nicholas-Robbins. He is survived by his brother David Nicholas of Temecula, California, half-sister Susan Nicholas of Plymouth, Michigan, daughter Sharon (Jeff) Mooney of Howell, Michigan, son Steven (Tami) Nicholas of Hastings, Michigan, son Russell (Marie) Nicholas of Hastings, Michigan, daughter Karen (Dennis) Benefield of Pinckney, Michigan, grand children Cristin (Greg) Galperin, Kim (Kyle) Halbert, Ryan (Kelly) Nicholas, Nathan (Anna) Nicholas, Brittany (Jeff) Yenoir, Amanda Nicholas, Brandon Nicholas, Ashley Benefield, Dylan Benefield and 13 great grandchildren.

Interment at Highland Cemetery in Gladwin, Michigan on Thursday December 31, 2020 at 3pm.  Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home.  To leave online condolences visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net