Johnny Elsworth Nichol, age 89, passed away on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at his home in Warrensburg, Missouri.

Johnny was born on August 23, 1933 at the family home in Adrian, Missouri, the son of Frank Nichol and Florence Deardorff.

Johnny graduated from Adrian High School in 1952. Right out of high school, he enlisted with the United States Navy, serving for four years as a Gunner's Mate 3 ^rd Class and enjoying teaching new enlistees the art of the gunner's mate. Johnny was a veteran of the Korean War, proud to do the job yet a humble man. He was honorably discharged in October of 1956 and returned home to his momma, who had missed him dearly.

Johnny was united in marriage on March 23, 1957 to Joan Pfannkuch from Concordia, Missouri. Joan was the love of his life for 59 glorious years. From their union, Johnny and Joan were blessed with five loving daughters: Brenda Diane, Rebeca Lynn, Flora Ann, Bobbie Jane, and Rachel Sue.

Johnny became a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church shortly after he and Joan were married, saying that since his loving wife was Lutheran, he would be Lutheran as well. He was baptized on February 5, 1958 and became a member the very same day. He provided crappie he caught from Truman Lake for the annual church fish fries and was well known for his delicious soup and chili recipes, which he also prepared for the church's annual soup and chili fundraisers.

Johnny was an extremely active sports man and also very competitive. It was this drive to win that led him to regularly compete in horseshoe pitching at the Missouri State Fair, National Horseshoe Pitching Association, and the World Championship. He placed first in many croquet tournaments, even into his 80s. Bowling was another sport he was a winner in, having competed in many bowling tournaments. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman, with many shelves along the walls and fireplace being decorated with his plaques and trophies.

Johnny was the owner and operator of Johnny's Disposal, retiring after 25 years of dependable service to the Burg community, hauling away numerous tons of garbage as well as picking up loose trash around the containers. His customers loved him for the kindness and dependability he provided in his service. Johnny was not afraid of hard work and many still talk and remember him as their trash man of Warrensburg.

Johnny was preceded in death by his loving wife Joan; his mother Florence; his father Frank; his grandsons Charles Wetzel and James "Jim" Hutchison; his great-granddaughter Kayden Wetzel; his sisters Louise Kendrick and Lucille Woodson; his brother Robert "Bob" Nichol; his son-in-law David Manken; his nephews John Pfannkuch and Kevin Woodson; and if any loved ones were excluded, please forgive us, as his family was extremely large.

Johnny is survived by his five daughters Brenda Ellebracht (John), Rebecca "Becky" Silvers (Wayne), Flora Thurman, Bobbie Brooks (Don), and Rachel Nichol, as well as 12 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 19, 2022 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Warrensburg, Missouri. The family will receive visitors from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 18, 2022 at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg, Missouri. Graveside services will be held at Warrensburg Memorial Gardens Cemetery following the funeral service.

Pallbearers will include Johnny Ray, Landon Ray, Anthony Brown, Jesse Stairs, Dylan Brown, and Jayden Bradley. Honorary bearers will include Jerry Hutchison, Clint Silvers, Cole Thurman, Trent Kline, Brian Hoskins, and Melvin Theroff.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Bethlehem Lutheran Church and can be left in care of the funeral home.