Charles Anton Nickelman III (Bud) was born April 23, 1944 in Berwyn Illinois and married his high school sweetheart, Jean Allen, on April 1, 1967. He graduated from St. Procopius College in Lisle, Illinois in 1966 with a degree in biology and Troy State University with a Master’s Degree in Management. He enjoyed playing his drums in Rock ‘n’ Roll bands through high school and college. He joined the US Air Force in 1967, serving his country for 20 years, continuing that service for 19 ½ years as a civilian. His active duty career took him around the world - Texas, Colorado, Ohio, South Korea, New York, Massachusetts, Germany, Italy, North Dakota and Nebraska. He loved all activities with his family and made each active duty assignment an opportunity for exploration of all that those areas had to offer. His leisure activities were boating, water skiing, camping and hiking. Bud loved spending his retirement winters with his wife, family and friends in his home on the Pacific Ocean in Santiago, Mexico. He was an active member of the Church of the Ascension, bringing the Eucharist to shut-ins and serving on the Twinning Committee. He was a lay Marianist for over 25 years in the Nazareth Community. Bud helped his wife in her work with high school students by chaperoning teen retreats. He made lifelong friends wherever he lived and opened his home to all. His quick-witted corny humor kept everybody on their toes, even in his last days.

Bud was at home surrounded by his loving family when he left this earth on November 21st. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jean, the Love of his life; his sister, Jaci Cronenwett and his brother, Gene Nickelman; his sons, Christopher (Rosalba), Brian (Jennifer), Craig (Jamee), and Peter (Jennifer); his daughters, Nicole (Rich) and Shawn Marie (Rob). Family was always his first priority and he dearly loved his grandchildren, Joshua, Mila, Zachary, Kiera, Drew, Carlee, Brendan, Kennedy, Logan, Ryan, Maddie, Tony, Sebastian, Richie and Daman. His great-granddaughter, Paislee entered his life this summer.

Memorial visitation will be on Sunday, November 26, 2017 at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals and Receptions, 3380 Dayton Xenia Rd., Beavercreek, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. All are invited to join Bud’s family and friends Monday, November 27th at 10:30 a.m. for Mass celebrating Bud’s life at the Church of the Ascension. The family thanks the staff at Trinity (especially Nellie and Tammy) and Hospice of Dayton (especially Morgan, Jennifer and Renee) for the beautiful care they gave Bud in the last days of his life. In lieu of flowers please donate to one of the following: Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave, Dayton 45420; Dakota Center, 33 Barnett St., Dayton, Ohio 45402; Santiago Foundation, c/o Joyce Murphy, 7030 Poco Bueno Circle, Sparks NV 89436-7476 or Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, PO Box 5028, Hagerstown MD 21741.

Burial with honors will be held at Dayton National Cemetery following the services.

To leave a special message for the family please visit NewcomerDayton.com.