Phillip Harold “Phil” Nicholas of Crawfordsville passed away Friday, May 15, 2026, at home. He was 86.
Phil was a life-long member of St. Bernard Catholic Church in Crawfordsville. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus 1591, serving as grand knight. He also helped with the Tootsie Roll drive for many years. For a long time, Phil devoted time to the Boys and Girls Club as both a board member and coach for the “Biddy Basketball” league. He started work at the Sportsman Shop, Dellekamps and P.R. Mallory before going to work at California Pellet Mill where he worked 40 years, retiring from there.
Born Aug. 4, 1939, in Crawfordsville, he was the son of Frank Russell Nicholas and Ann B. Nicholas. Phil attended school at St. Bernard through the eighth grade and graduated from Crawfordsville High School.
Surviving family includes: wife Rhonda Nicholas; daughter Stacey L. Nicholas; son Phillip Heath “Tank” Nicholas; daughter Wendy Whetstone; son Jarrod D. Nicholas; daughter Krystal L. Rogers; six grandchildren, Savannah, Raizel, John Phillip, Kaylee, Phillip Hayden and Chloe; three great-grandchildren, Cleo, Gwen and Jesse; one sister, Cathy (Warren) Marconett; sister-in-law Rita Nicholas; two nieces, Susie and Michelle.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Mike Nicholas; nephew Brian Nicholas; and grandson James Whetstone III.
Visitation will be held Friday, May 29 at St. Bernard Catholic Church from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Funeral Mass will begin at noon, led by Father Michael Bower. Arrangements were entrusted to Burkhart Funeral Home.
Donations in memory of Phil Nicholas may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Montgomery County, P.O. Box 292, Crawfordsville, IN 47933 or the Montgomery – Parke County Special Olympics, c/o Dana Melvin, P.O. Box 177, Russellville, IN 46175.
