Lakewood Lore

Local four-generation business celebrates 100 years

A century of continuous operation is being celebrated this year by Nickels Funeral Home, one of the oldest and most prominent businesses in Lakewood.

Fred G. Nickels II and his wife Caroline founded the home in 1894. Caroline was a member of the Nunn family of morticians, whose names already were well-established in the field in turn-of-the-century Cleveland.

Grandson Fred G. Nickels III, current owner-operator and a punster, remembers how he often kidded his founding grandfather.

"I used to accuse him of marrying a 'Nunn,'" Fred III amusedly recalled.

According to Fred, Grandpa Nickels was born in Cleveland and started in undertaking, as its was then called, as a helper for Caroline's three brothers -- John I, William and Adolph Nunn -- each of whom ran separate funeral parlors.

Originally, the Nickels establishment was on Lorain Avenue at West 33rd Street. In 1917, it moved to a home on West Boulevard just north of Lorain. Soon afterward, Carl E. Nickels, only son of the founders' family of four children, joined in the operation, which he then took over when he was 21.

In 1922, Carl opened a second parlor at 14500 Madison Ave. in Lakewood, which is the current address of the 100-year-old Nickels Funeral Home. The overall operation was consolidated here in 1952 when the West Boulevard location was closed for lack of expansion room and additional parking space at the site.

In 1954, an entirely new, modern facility was built in front of the ten existing structure on Madison Avenue, which more than tripled capacity. Then, four years ago, the interior of this building was completely renovated.

Pioneer Nickels remained in the business until 1950. He died in 1960 and wife Caroline in 1957. Both lived to be 93.

"Many changes have occurred in the funeral business through the years," Fred pointed out. "When we started, it was the day of the horse drawn carriage, and a service with cemetery procession would consume the better part of a whole day.

"Most of the wakes -- or visitations, as they are now more commonly called -- were held at the family home of the deceased. The director took his embalming fluid to the residence, prepared the body there, and then brought the casket (then referred to as a coffin), along with backdrop drapes, chairs, kneeler and register stand.

"A private-home funeral in those days often lasted four days or more. This was reduced to two days, with the advent of the early funeral parlors, at which bereaved family members generally were present from noon until 11 p.m."

Fred noted that the trend today is for shorter hours, usually one afternoon or evening, with the service the following day.

A native of Lakewood, Fred was born in 1927 and attended St. Clements Elementary School, St.Ignatius High School and John Carroll University. In 1950, he earned a graduation certificate from Cleveland College of Mortuary Science.

That same year, he married Nancy Johnson of Lakewood. The couple has six children — four boys and two girls — and four grandchildren.

Wife Nancy has been actively involved in the business for many years as an assistant, secretary and hairdresser. Also, Fred's brother, Thomas F. Nickels, was an associate in the operation until his retirement in 1985.

Fred's son, Fred G. Nickels IV, now has joined his father, making the company a fourth-generation family establishment. Meanwhile, John C. Andrade, a licensed director and embalmer, continues his more than 20 years association with Nickels.

Immediate initial contact at time of death is most important in the opinion of owner Fred, who comers his telephones 24 hours a day, supplements with pagers and car phones, and says he would never go to answering machines, or an answering service.

"We have a large library of music to choose from, and there is hardly anything we haven't placed into a casket -- favorite fishing rods, golf balls, and clubs, playing cards, dice, and many, many other cherished mementos."

What is the most stressful part of the job? Getting emotionally involved when friends die, according to Fred, a compassionate man.

"As I get older, it becomes harder to handle those things," he said.

This article appeared in the Lakewood Sun Post August 11, 1994. Reprinted with permission.

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