Funeral Services for Andy Nickel, 76, of Fairview, will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 24, 2009 at the Mennonite Brethren Church in Fairview, Oklahoma. The Reverend Arnold Curby will officiate. Burial will follow in the Saron Mennonite Cemetery, Orienta. Arrangements are by Fairview Funeral Home, Inc.

Viewing will be Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Fairview Funeral Home Inc.

Andrew "Andy" Lee Nickel was born August 4, 1933 at the family home in Orienta, Oklahoma to John P. Nickel and Lydia (Janzen) Nickel and passed away Friday, August 21, 2009 at the Fairview Regional Medical Center in Fairview, Oklahoma.

Andy grew up in the Orienta and Fairview areas. He attended Orienta School, a year in Enid and then Fairview High School, graduating in 1952. Andy enlisted in the United States Army. While in the Army, he was an Ambulance driver and was stationed in Germany and France. Following his honorable discharge in 1956, he returned to Oklahoma City where he met Jean Harding. Andy and Jean wed on September 1, 1956 in Norman, Oklahoma. They resided in Oklahoma City for four months where Andy worked as a sales representative until the company transferred him to Dallas, Texas. Andy and Jean lived in Texas for five years and were blessed with two sons, John and Ron. The family then moved back to the farm. Andy always loved farming and moving home let him do what he loved most. He worked for Hiebert Brother's Construction for many years, eventually going into partnership with the Hieberts. Andy sold the buildings and the Hiebert brothers constructed the buildings. Over the last few years, Andy had started his own business, N.D. Building Sales, which he was still operating when he passed away.

Andy was a member of the Major County Rural Water Board and headed it for many years. He belonged to the Saron Mennonite Church in Orienta, Oklahoma and was a very active member, filling many positions there, to include: moderator, deacon, trustee, song leader, choir member, Sunday school teacher and was on the food committee. Andy loved his church and the Lord. His passion was singing gospel music and he did so as often as possible. He was a member of the Saron Mennonite Quartet, the Believers Quartet and the Heaven Bound Singers. Andy was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Andy is survived by wife Jean Nickel, of Fairview; two sons, John Nickel and wife Millie of Ulysses, Kansas, Ron Nickel and wife Carolee of Turpin, Oklahoma; three sisters, Vera Cook, Ann Karban and Bonnie Rader; and six grandchildren, Andy John Nickel, Melissa Nickel, Noel J. Nickel, Megan Nickel, Kaitlyn Nickel, and Cassie Nickel,

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Allen Nickel and sister Evelyn Buller.

Memorials may be made to the Saron Mennonite Mission Fund with Fairview Funeral Home, Inc. acting as custodians of the fund.

Condolences may be made online at www.fairviewfuneralhomeinc.com.