Dora Nicklas
Dora M. Critchlow Nicklas, age 96, of Evans City, died on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020.
Born Aug. 18, 1924, Dorie was the sixth of 10 children of Thomas and Erla Hughes Critchlow.
She was raised on the family farm in Reibold and graduated from Evans City High School in 1942. She married her husband, Orlando C. (Nick) Nicklas, on Jan. 25, 1946. Together they raised four daughters, Sandy M. Wiltse of Butler, Sally J. Nicklas of Evans City, Kathy J. Stewart of Meridian, and Cindy L. Nicklas, who died in 1967 at the age of 12.
Dorie worked as an Avon representative for 66 years. Keeping up with her Avon customers helped Dorie stay sharp as she worked into her late 80s.
Dorie was a life member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She had an abiding faith and a deep, personal relationship with the Lord. Anyone who knew or was lucky enough to spend time with Dorie also understood immediately that she was a person of values. Always telling the truth; doing what was right, even if it was hard; loving others unconditionally; and being gentle and kind formed the foundation of how she lived. Though she endured personal hardship, she was quick with a smile and laugh. She enjoyed her family and friends, playing board games, Flinch, doing word search and crossword puzzles and watching “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune.”
In addition to her daughters, Sandy, Sally, and Kathy, Dorie is survived by her grandsons, Corey (Lindsey) Wiltse of Meridian, Todd Wiltse of Butler, and Ryan (Sara) Stewart of Wexford. Dorie loved her grandsons, and in later years, especially adored her great-grandchildren, Madison and Jayden Wiltse, and Alexander Stewart. Dorie is also survived by dozens of nieces and nephews, who continually speak about the life lessons she taught them and the love she had for each of them. Dorie was also blessed by the decades-long friendship she shared with her second family and neighbors, Larry and Linda Voll and their children, Katie, Eric, Adam, Andrew and their families.
Dorie was preceded in death by her husband, Nick, on June 1, 1979, after 33 years of marriage; her daughter, Cindy; her son-in-law, Corbett M. Stewart; and her nine siblings, Goldie Critchlow, Esther Fleeger, Louise Benoit, Mary Ruth (Bun) Benoit, Grace Hortert, Thomas Critchlow and his wife and Dorie’s dear friend, Sis, Jane Lienenbach, Carner (Chop) Critchlow, and Thelma (Mag) Critchlow.
All of us are fortunate to have had Dorie in our lives. Through her we learned about kindness, hard work, faith, forgiveness, and turning the other cheek. She shared with us her love of the Lord, which is an enduring gift for us all.
Nicklas — Friends of Dora M. Critchlow Nicklas, who died Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, will be received from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Boylan Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Connoquenessing Township, 856 Evans City Road, Renfrew with her grandson, Ryan P. Stewart, officiating.
Dorie will be laid to rest at Greenlawn Burial Estates in Butler.
Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.boylanfuneralservices.com.
