Barbara Nickel

Barbara Nickel (aka Grammi), 82, died November 15, 2023. She was a resident of Port Clinton, Ohio for nearly 60 years.

Barbara was born on February 4, 1941 in Fairmont, West Virginia. She graduated from Fairmont State Teacher’s College in 1963, and her first teaching assignment took her to Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware. It was there on a blind date that she met a handsome young Air Force pilot, Edward Nickel. She and Ed later married on March 13, 1966 and after his military service, they relocated to Port Clinton, Ohio when Ed began running the family business, Nickel Paint and Supply Company in Fremont. Their love story was sadly altered in 1976 when Ed died after a long journey with cancer. Barbara never stopped missing and adoring Ed, and they are now reunited in heaven after 47 years apart. They had two children, Krissi (Troy) Gayle of Savannah, Georgia and Steve (Jennifer Poppe) Nickel of Port Clinton.

The delight of Barbara’s life undoubtedly was her 5 grandchildren: Jordan Gayle, Peyton Gayle, Jasper Nickel, Avery Gayle and Jade Nickel. The unique relationships she had with each of her grandchildren will be cherished forever. Each of their lives have been shaped by her kind and loving influence. They lovingly remember Teddy Bear Picnics in the backyard, Kalahari and Cedar Point trips, movies and popcorn in the loft, Scattergories and Rummikub, and the best hugs.

After her children went to college, Barbara returned to school for her second career as a Registered Nurse. She graduated from Providence Hospital School of Nursing in 1992 and became an industrial nurse working for General Motors in Sandusky, Ohio until she retired in 1999 to spend more time with her grandchildren.

Barbara was a member of the Port Clinton Yacht Club, Literary and Social Club, Ladies of the Lake Investment Club, and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. She was involved in the P.E.O. Sisterhood, where she held several executive offices, and she was an active volunteer at the Wide World Shop before its closure. She was a season-ticket holder at the Stranahan Theater, where she enjoyed attending productions with her sweet friends. She will forever be remembered for her friendly smile, her kindness always, her witty sense of humor, and her enjoyment of brandy manhattans. She also loved fancy dinners out, her morning coffee, and winning at RummiKub on game night.

Barbara was an avid traveler with her dear friend, Marlene. Together, they explored many U.S. destinations, but also international excursions to New Zealand, Iceland, Europe, Mexico, Estonia, the Caribbean Islands, and many more adventures.

She is survived by her children Krissi and Steve, their spouses, Troy and Jennifer and her grandchildren, as well as by her brothers, Rick (Sue) Hirt and Charles “Bobby” Hirt, and several special nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Edward Nickel, her parents Esther and Charles Hirt Jr., her sister Marian (Sissy) Davis, her mother and father- in law, Donald and Dorothy Nickel, her nephews Kali Hirt, Andrew Davis, and Zachary Hirt, and her beloved dog, Paisley.

The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made in Barbara and Paisley’s name to the Ottawa County Humane Society, 2424 E Sand Road, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 20 at Gerner, Wolf, Walker Funeral Home , located at 216 Washington Street in Port Clinton from 5:00-7:00 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday November 21 at 10:30 am at Immaculate Conception Church, 414 Madison St. in Port Clinton.