(Bryan Resident)
Rev. Grant Telfer Nicholls, 78, of Bryan, Ohio, passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 8, 2024, in his residence.
Grant was born March 22, 1946, in East Meadow, New York, son of the late Russell E. and Marjorie G. (Gardner) Nicholls.
He graduated from Lenape High School (NJ) in 1964, Lebanon Valley College with a Bachelor of Education degree in 1969, American College of Bryn Mawr (Pennsylvania) with a Master’s in Finance in 1982, and a Masters in Management in 1987, Theological College at Drew University (NJ) with a Masters of Divinity in 2001, and was a Doctorate of Ministry candidate at Drew University (NJ).
Grant married Susan E. Pfahler on April 18, 1998, in New Jersey, and she survives. Grant was a life-long member of the United Methodist Church and ended his career as a retired U.M.C. pastor.
In his free time, Grant was an avid ham radio operator and volunteered to serve his community in multiple capacities including volunteer emergency and fire departments, the Allamuchy town planning board, Rotary International, and other civic and charitable organizations.
Grant had an extensive work history, spending four years as a full-time firefighter at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, six years (1970-1976) as an agent training director with Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, ten years (1976-1986) as an administrative assistant and then national sales director with Colonial Life/ CHUBB, three years (1986-1989) as the superintendent of agencies with Bankers Security Life Insurance Company, 13 years (1986-1996) as owner and operator of Personal Financial Advisors, and nine years as a professor and director of continuing education at Centenary College. Grant started his career in ministry in 2001, serving as pastor at Buttzville (NJ) U.M.C., Watkins-Glen and Beaverdams (NY) U.M.C., Minetto (NY) U.M.C., Oakwood (NY) U.M.C., and finishing his career at Williams Center (OH) U.M.C.
Surviving is his loving wife, Susan of Bryan, OH; five children, Russell E. (Elizabeth) Nicholls of Tenafly, NJ, David (Joelle) McGill of McKinney, TX, Debra (Brittan) Reisse of Frederick, MD, Amy (Pastor Sean) Wightman of Morgantown, WV, and Jennifer (Keefe) Murphy of Cape Coral, FL; 13 grandchildren; sister, Macy (Bob) Swift of Amherst, VA. Grant was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation for Rev. Grant Nicholls will be held Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 506 Oxford Drive, Bryan, Ohio. Funeral services will immediately begin at 11:00 a.m. in the church with Pastors Leonel Pech, Barry Sweet, Sean Wightman, and David Nicholls officiating. Interment will follow in Shiffler Cemetery, Bryan, Ohio.
Memorial contributions can be directed to Cancer Assistance of Williams County, 1425 E. High St, Suite 110, Bryan, Ohio 43506.
Condolences may be sent to the family or memories may be shared at www.oberlinturnbull.com.