Missouri Man 21, Drowned, Reports Tazewell Coroner

Pekin, IL – A 21-year-old Missouri man drowned in the Illinois River on Monday night, an autopsy revealed.

The body of Jeffrey A. Nichols of California, Missouri was pulled from the river at the foot of Court Street here. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:12 p.m..

Nichols and his aunt, Mary Stevens, 40, also of California, Missouri were fishing from the bank. Nichols, who was unable to swim, went into the water to untangle a fishing net or line. He was either pulled in by the current or stepped off a drop-off, a spokeswoman for the Tazewell County Coroner’s office said.

Stevens tried to pull her nephew out of the water but was unsuccessful. Efforts to resuscitate Nichols were also unsuccessful.

Stevens was treated for shock at Pekin Memorial Hospital and released.

The pair were visiting friends in the area.

Journal Star (Peoria, IL) – Wednesday, July 25, 1984

Jeffrey A. Nichols, 21, of California, Missouri, drowned in the Illinois River at Pekin on July 23, 1984.  Funeral services held in California, Missouri with the Rev. Bill Gammon, youth minister at Olney Southern Baptist Church, officiating.  Burial in California City Cemetery in California, Missouri.

Mr. Nichols was born March 16, 1963 in Olney, the son of Mack and Evelyn (Ammons) Nichols.

He graduated from East Richland High School in 1981 and was a member of the Olney Southern Baptist Church.

Survivors include his mother, California, Missouri; one brother, Jim Nichols also of California, Missouri and one half-brother, Dennis Nichols, Sumner.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL) – Tuesday, August 7, 1984