Edith Jean (Vance) Nickell, age 96, longtime resident of Yellow Springs, passed away on August 11th, 2024. Jean was born on February 3, 1928 in West Liberty, Kentucky. Jean grew up in White Oak on her father's tobacco farm. They had donkeys, but Jean loved visiting her uncle and riding his horses. When she was 18 years-old, she moved to Dayton for 2 years with her sister Vivian. She eloped on April 3, 1948 with the love of her life, Herbert Nickell. Jean moved her husband and 2 children to Yellow Springs in 1964 and her husband built them a home on Sutton Road.

Jean started her career in Food Service at Antioch College as a waitress at The Inn when she was 38. She then worked at The Caf and ended her career in student dining services at age 78. She loved being a part of the Antioch community, chatting with the students and spending the days with her co-workers. She made a lot of good friends at Antioch over the years and relished the relationships she made.

Jean was a devoted Christan and was a member of The Methodist Church in Old Town for over 40 years. She enjoyed getting the church program from them every week after she was no longer able to attend in person.

While Jean loved her Yellow Springs home, she continued to be closely connected with her large family in Kentucky. She spent a lot of time with her parents, sisters, and brothers over the years, bringing her children, grand-children, and great grand-children to visit as much as possible.

Jean loved her family and would do anything for them. When you entered her home, she was at the stove cooking up the best food in Yellow Springs. She was great fun at a game of cards, no one could beat her at Gin-Rummy. She loved to travel visiting family and spending time at the beach. Jean will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and a fierce friend.

Jean is survived by one sister Vivan House of South Carolina; one daughter Linda (Nickell) Richmond of New York; one grandson Chris Nickell (wife Amy) of Centerville, OH; one granddaughter Nicole (Richmond) Breslin (husband Liam) of Johns Creek, GA; 5 great-granddaughters Carissa Nickell, Grace Breslin, Caitlyn Nickell, Libby Lou Breslin, and Arabella Nickell; 2 great-grandsons Aengus Breslin and Cash Nickell; and many nieces and nephews. Jean was preceded in death by her parents Lee Roy and Tela Vance; husband, Herbert Nickell; one son, David Nickell; one great-granddaughter Christyna Nickell; brothers, Edward and Jimmy Vance; sisters Mildred Kirk and Betty Lacy Wells.

Services will be held 11 AM Wednesday, August 14th at Glen Forest Cemetery, Yellow Springs with Pastor Ken Martin officiating.  Expressions of sympathy may be made online to the family at www.mccolaughfuneralhome.com.