Phillip H. Nichols

MUNCIE — Phillip H. Nichols, 75, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, September 26, 2022 at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Phil was born in Muncie, the son of Patrick and Regina Nichols. Phil grew up in a southside Muncie neighborhood, taking on the qualities of toughness and hard work that were shared by his father, brother, and the entire Nichols family. He was a graduate of Muncie Southside High School. Phil served on the Muncie Fire Department for 33 years, earning the Muncie Fireman of the Year honor in 1972 after rescuing an unconscious 10-year-old child from a burning home. He served as a Muncie City Councilman for eight years from 1987-1994. Known as an advocate for Muncie's southside, improving the lives of families in the same neighborhoods where he had grown up. As councilman, he battled resistance while leading a successful push to make smoke detectors mandatory in all apartment units in Muncie, an effort that was credited for saving many lives in subsequent years. He also led the effort toward the development of the new Joint Communications Center for emergency management that opened in 1992. Phil was the longtime chairman of the Delaware County Democrat Central Committee, where he was known for his competitive nature but also for his friendly, smiling personality and devotion to helping others. In his youth, Phil was one of Muncie's top baseball players as a shortstop, and later became one of the area's top slow-pitch softball players during the late 1960's and early 1970's. He was a devoted fan of the Chicago Cubs. Above all else, Phil loved spending time with his family. Surviving are his wife, Terri (Atkinson) Nichols; four children, Angie Miller (husband, Michael) of Lutz, Florida, Katie Nichols of Palmyra, Virginia, Craig Nichols (wife, Angel) of Muncie, and Ashley Nichols Hart (husband, Hunter) of Muncie; his brother, Tom Nichols of Warsaw, Indiana; his sister, Cathy Nichols Stonecipher (husband, Larry) of Warsaw, Indiana; grandchildren, Lauren, Marissa, Matthew, Hunter, Selena, Joshua, Tanner, and Jaxson; six great-grandchildren; nephews, Tom Nichols Jr. of Dayton, Ohio and David Nichols (wife, Deanna) of Fishers, Indiana; and niece, Kelli Nichols Dulaney of Muncie. He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Amy Nichols, his grandson, Mason Nichols, and his sister-in-law, Fran (Reum) Nichols. Those who knew Phil best continued to support him until his final day, and always considered him to be a major positive influence on their own lives. He left behind a legion of friends from all walks of life, all races, and all religions. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, October 3, 2022, at Elm Ridge Funeral Home, 4600 West Kilgore Avenue, Muncie, Indiana 47304. Burial will follow in Elm Ridge Memorial Park. Family and friends may call from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Monday at Elm Ridge Funeral Home. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at elmridgefuneralhome.com for the family.