Elbert E. Nickel

Elbert E. "Elbie" Nickel Elbert Everett Nickel, better known to family and friends as Elbie, passed away, on Tuesday, February 27,2007, peacefully with his family at his side. He was predeceased by his wide, Roberta Terry, his mother, Gladys Everett, and his father, Richard Nickel. Elbie is survived by his two children, Joe Nickel and Susan Dean; Joe's wife, Barbara and their five children, Michelle, Mike, Kelly, Christy and Jessica; Susan's husband, Bob and their three children, Rob, Courtney and Jack; his brother, Eugene and his family; and seven great grandchildren. Elbie was born December 28, 1922, in Fullerton, Kentucky. Growing up in rural Kentucky during the depression, he learned the value of hard work and an education while pursing athletics and a natural talent for the games of football, basketball and baseball. Before graduating from McKell High School in Fullerton, Kentucky, he was chosen for the All-Kentucky High School Football Team and the All-Eastern Kentucky Conference Basketball Team. After graduating from McKell in 1940, he attended the University of Cincinnati and played on the university's football, basketball, and baseball teams. Beginning his sophomore year, he played the left end position and University of Cincinnati football enthusiasts saw in action the best team in 45 years. He became a top scorer on the Bearcats' basketball team and star pitcher and left fielder for the Bearcats baseball team earning the nickname, "Nick the Slick." His education and Bearcat athletics were put on hold when he entered the United States Army to serve in World War II. At the end of the War, he married his love, Roberta. The stars were aligned and he returned to the University of Cincinnati in February to play phenomenal baseball. In the fall of 1946, he was elected captain of the 1946 Bearcats and led them to a successful season, including a shocking 15-6 victory over the defending Big 10 Indiana champs, earning a trip to the Sun Bowl in El Paso. He led the Bearcats to a brilliant victory over Virginia Tech, 18-6. That year he was named an All American, and in 1982 was inducted into the University of Cincinnati Athletic Hall of Fame. Elbie was offered contracts by the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He chose the Pittsburgh Steelers to follow his passion for the game of football. He played eleven seasons with the Steelers, playing a record 125 consecutive games and setting the record of 329 most caught passes, a record finally broken by Steelers' great, Lynn Swan. He was a top pass receiver and considered one of the best ends in football and one of the greatest all around athlete to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was captain and Most Valuable Player for the Steelers, an NFL All Star playing in three pro bowls, and he was inducted into the Pittsburgh Hall of Fame in 1982. In 1982, he was honored by the Steeler fans who named him to the All Time Pittsburgh Steelers' team. After retiring from football, he lived with his family in Chillicothe, Ohio, and worked along side his father in the construction business. He loved Chillicothe, all his friends and neighbors, his Church, and of course, the Chillicothe football team. He lived for over 50 years in his home on McKell Road, and spent his last few years in Cincinnati near his son and grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, March 3, 2007 in the Trinity United Methodist Church, Main and Mulberry Streets, Chillicothe, OH with Rev. Tad Grover officiating. Burial will follow in Floral Hills Memory Gardens with military graveside services by the Ross County Veterans Honor Guard. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4 to 8 pm on Friday. Donations can be made in his name to the Alois Alzheimer's Foundation, 70 Damon Road, Cincinnati Ohio 45218