Birth: May 27, 1919

West Point, Hancock County  Illinois, USA

Death: Feb. 3, 1995

Sterling Whiteside County Illinois, USA

 

Otis Paul Nicely, 75, formerly of Tampico, died Friday, Feb 3, 1995, at the Sterling Pavilion.

 

Mr. Nicely was born on May 27, 1919, in West Point, the son of Albert and Lena (Maberry) Nicely. He married Helen Woods on Dec. 19, 1959, in Tampico. He received an advanced master's degree from the University of Illinois. He was a high school agriculture teacher teaching in Sibley for one year, Wyoming for six years, Sparland for one year, and Tampico for 25 years. 

 

He was a lifetime member of the Wyoming Masonic Lodge, and was a member of several committees organizing the international fair committees. He managed and organized the First Heart of Illinois Fair in Peoria. He was executive secretary of the Exposition Gardens, organizer of the conservation districts, and one-time superintendent of the Illinois State Fair. He and his wife Helen researched and operated the Ronald Regan Birthplace in Tampico. In 1977, Paul was presented with the Northern Illinois Land Use Council "Conservation Teacher of the Year" award. 

 

Survivors include his wife of Tampico; three sisters, Irene Russo and Alberta Lewis of Springfield and Clara Horsley of Elk Grove Village; and several nieces and nephews.