Wayne Elwood Nickola , July 07, 1928 — July 06, 2018

Wayne Elwood Nickola, 89, asleep in Christ. He was born in Altoona, PA. Helen and Oscar Nickola were his loving parents and his beloved godparents were Annie and Walter Long.

He graduated Altoona High School, served in the United States Navy, and earned a B.S. and M.S. in Engineering Mechanics at Penn State University. Wayne had an outstanding engineering career that took him to many foreign countries and many U.S. locations. Throughout his life he maintained a deep faith in God and leaned always on Jesus as his Savior.

In several churches, he served as President of Church Council, Sunday School Superintendent, chaired the Search Committee for Pastor appointment and he ushered. He will always be remembered for his clever and quick wit as well as enjoying a good laugh. In addition, he was a faithful PSU Nittany Lion fan and after moving to NC in 1978, he also became a Wolfpack fan.

He was also an accomplished sailor, a sport he shared with his family. Wayne married Peggy Daniels in 1954. They shared 63 ½ years of a true love story.

He was a gentle man, full of wisdom, humility, and honesty. He was the strength of his family. As Dad and Grosspop, Wayne loved his “kids” and he gave them the tools of life as he imparted wisdom, fairness, joy, and caring.

He will be missed. Wayne is survived by his wife of 63 ½ years, Peggy Nickola; son, Ray Nickola (Paula) of Wendell; daughter, Carole Welker (Joe) of Wendell; grandchildren: Jake Nickola, Nicole Batten (Chad), Ashleigh Lewis (Chad), Andi Carroll (fiancé Ty Brandenburg), and Jessie Welker; great-grandchildren: Taylor, Skylee, Tyson, Tate, and Carter; cousins: Kathleen, Joe, and Terry, as well as his loving nieces and nephew. In addition to his parents, Wayne was preceded in death by his grandson, Chris Welker; and his brothers: Paul and Lynn Nickola.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at L. Harold Poole Funeral Service & Crematory, 944 Old Knight Road, Knightdale, NC 27545. A memorial service will be held 11:00 am, Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1500 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27608. A reception for family and friends will follow in the church fellowship hall.

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