Obituary

Charles "Charlie" Frank Nickel, Sr.

October 18, 1938 - August 16, 2026

Charles “Charlie” Frank Nickel, Sr., age 87 and of the Thomas Community, was born on October 18, 1938, in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday August 16, 2026, following a brief battle with cancer. Charlie grew up helping his father farm rice on the family land just south of Lake Charles. In 1961, he was drafted into the United States Army and spent two years at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, before being honorably discharged in October 1963. In 1960, Charlie began his career with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. He initially worked in Lake Charles, but in 1965, he voluntarily relocated to New Orleans, where he met the love of his life, Hazel Marie Jarrell. They were married on April 28, 1967, beginning a marriage that would span more than five decades. Charlie retired from DOTD in 1992 after more than 30 years of inspecting road and bridge projects throughout the state. Retirement, however, did not mean slowing down. He continued working as an inspector and cost estimator for various contractors and consultants for many years.

Charlie was a man who always stayed busy. He took great pride in his home and property, keeping everything beautifully groomed. He especially enjoyed working in his garden, and anyone in the Thomas Community could attest to the beauty of his garden and how meticulously he cared for his grounds. His garden was a reflection of the care and pride he brought to everything he did. Above all, Charlie was a devoted Christian and a faithful member of Bible Baptist Church in the Thomas Community, where he was baptized. He rarely missed a Sunday. No matter how much work there was to be done around his home or in his garden, his faith in Jesus Christ and worship always took priority.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Hazel Marie Jarrell Nickel; his four children and spouses, Charles Frank Nickel, Jr., Christopher (Amy) Nickel, Timothy Nickel, and Susann (David) Shliegelmeyer; seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, Elden Theodore Nickel, Sr. and Esther Katerine Rosfeld Nickel; his brothers, Elden Theodore Nickel, Jr., James Frederick Nickel, Thomas William Nickel, and Gerald “Jerry” David Nickel; his sister, Ruby Katerine Castrejon Nickel, and other family members.

Visitation will be held Wednesday August 19th at Bible Baptist Church (29567 Hwy. 424, Franklinton, LA) from 10:00 am until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Harold Gaddy officiating. Burial with military honors will be follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Bible Baptist Church at the address above, in memory of Charlie.

Pallbearers: Andrew Nickel, Jesse Nickel, Keith Jones, Ryan Gatlin, Colt McElveen, Trey Cooper. Honorary Pallbearers are Will Nickel and Ed Rushing