Forrest A. "Woody" Nicholas, born in Hammond, IN, November 21, 1944 to Helen Herlezk and Forrest A. Nicholas, Sr. passed away April 16, 2013 at Elkhart General Hospital after being stricken with a sudden-onset, incurable autoimmune disease, Hammon-Rich Syndrome. He was ill three weeks. Mr. Nicholas was fortunate to give a gift of tissue via the Indiana Organ Procurment Organ donation. Mr. Nicholas married Nancy Lou C. Vaughn November 6, 1982 at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. He is survived by his spouse, his children, Sarah (Scott) Amos, Sally (fiancee Matt Geiger) Vaughn, Elkhart and Susan Vaughn (Eli Ybarra) Indianapolis, who adopted him on Dec. 24, 1986. He is also survived by grandchildren, Chelsea and Hannah Amos; Emily and Nicholas Kauffman and Grace and Gabrielle Ybarra, as well as his treasured sister-in-law, Jimmie Sue Queener, nieces and nephews. Mr. Nicholas, was an advocate of, "you do not have to share blood to be family." He is also survived by Scott Nicholas, Michigan; Jennifer Nicholas, Munster, IN, and Elizabeth (Derek Chalfant) Elmira, NY., and several grandchildren. Mr. Nicholas was preceded in death by his mother, Helen Herlezk and Forrest A. Nicholas, Sr. and an infant sister Nicole. Mr. Nicholas, a chemistry major, earned a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University in 1967. Mr. Nicholas took early retirement from Bayer (Miles) in 2002 after 24 years of service. He was a member of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. In retirement he and his soul mate traveled extensively for several years. Mr. Nicholas was Past Master of Tyrian Masonic Lodge, Past President of the Elkhart Shrine Club, Past President of the Elkhart Scottish Rite Club, Past Deputy Port Captain of the Great Lake's Cruising Club, St. Joseph, Michigan Harbor and Past President of the Riverview Marina Condo Association, St. Joseph Mi. He is a member of the Lakes Dunes Miata Club. In recent years Mr. Nicholas focused on giving back to the community by reaching out to students struggling with Algebra; he was Adjunct Faculty at Ivy Tech Community College, Elkhart. Referring to his home along the Elkhart River as "The River's Edge", he cherished his family, wild life, fishing, his two cats and even his family of squirrel's, who all have names. Mr. Nicholas embraced the outdoors, catch-and-release fishing, and his flyfishing skills have been described as, "watching poetry in motion." Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Fri., April 19, 2013 at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home with a 7:00 P.M. Masonic Service, and for one hour prior to the 1 p.m. funeral Sat., April 20, 2013 at the funeral home. Burial will take place at a later date. Online condolences may be sent at www.hartzlergutermuthinman.com. Memorial contributions may be given in his name to the Immune Deficiency Foundation, 40 West Chesapeake Avenue, Suite 308, Towson, MD 21204. www.primaryimmune.org/give or to the local group Christmas Commandos, Mutual Bank 4100 East Edison Lakes Pkwy, Suite 300, Mishawaka, IN 46545.