Dr. Ted Allen Nickell
Dr. Ted Allen Nickell, PhD, age 87, of Salina, Kansas, passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
Born on August 3, 1938, in Dodge City, Kansas, Ted was the son of Doris Margaret (Rabourn) and Virdie Allen Nickell. He proudly served in the United States Navy, then the Army Reserves, and later earned his doctorate from Missouri University.
Throughout his career, Ted held leadership roles as Vice President of Operations for several prominent retirement housing companies. He also dedicated time to working at St. Francis Boys Home, reflecting his lifelong commitment to service and care.
Ted is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughters Kimberly Cranston (Dave Blank) of Holdrege, Nebraska, and Serena Helvey of Salina, Kansas; and son Christopher Nickell (Laura) of Salina, Kansas. He leaves behind eight grandchildren—Danielle, Aaron (Sharalyn), Dylan (Brooke), Makenzie (Grant), Cade (Rhianna), Jackson (Alycia), Easton, and Aidan—and eight great-grandchildren: Greg, Dezmyn, Landin, Brenna, Addie, Bode, Axton, and Sunny.
He is also survived by two sisters, Judy Wilson (Ron) of Columbia, Missouri, and Cherie Phillips of Great Bend, Kansas.
Ted was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Rodney Nickell; and his son-in-law, David Helvey.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home in Salina.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home.
Virginia Lou (Davis) Taylor
Virginia Lou (Davis) Taylor died November 20, 2025, in Abilene, Kansas, having reached the age of 92. She was born March 11, 1933 on a farm to Willard Lee and Mayme Isabelle (Schulz) Davis. Along with her loving siblings (who affectionately called her ‘Susie’), Virginia grew up four miles south of Sand Springs and was a farm girl at heart. She attended the Pearl and Independence County Schools, Abilene Junior High, and graduated from Abilene High School with the Class of 1951. She was a member of several 4-H clubs in her youth. She married Gerald ‘Jerry’ Bernard Taylor on March 30, 1952, in Abilene, where they spent most of their lives. She was a member of the United Methodist Church and UMW Circle and loved to contribute items for their annual bazaar. Virginia was a homemaker and a Certified Nurse’s Aid from 1967 – 1998, always working the night shift at Abilene Memorial Hospital. For several years, following her official retirement, she continued to care for elderly friends and neighbors who wanted to stay in their homes for their final years. She truly lived her belief in the sanctity of life.
As her boys grew up, she volunteered as a Den Mother for Troop #40 Boy Scouts of America, and helped with the Girl Scouts as well. An excellent seamstress, she created beautiful clothes and costumes for her daughters (and their dolls.) Never wasting any time, she taught herself how to crochet, cross-stitch, embroidery, and quilt making. She was an avid reader of books of all genres. She loved caring for her grandchildren and great grandchildren and with her grandchildren’s help, became an accomplished Nintendo 64 player. Her kindness and humble spirit will be missed by all who knew her.
Virginia was preceded in death by three of her siblings and their spouses; Wilma Nicholson (Sherman), Raymond Davis (Goldie), and George Davis (Alberta); and her sister-in-law, Mavis Davis. Her loving husband of 68 years, Gerald B. ‘Jerry’ Taylor died in February of 2021. She is survived by her sons, Scott L. Taylor (Roberta) of Topeka, Randall L. Taylor, and Garry R. Taylor of Abilene, and daughters, Nancy K. Goracke (Kim) of Manhattan, Janet L. Griggs (Randy) of Salina, and Sue A. Hern, also of Salina, her brother, Willard Lee David Davis II, of Abilene, 10 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.
There is no service planned at this time. The family suggests memorial contributions in her memory to the Abilene Animal Hospital, Adopt-A-Pet Fune, 320 NE 14th St, Abilene, Kansas 67410-1928.
