ERIE -- Peggie Nicholas, 67, of rural Erie died at 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2009, at her home. She had been in failing health.

She was born on Oct. 17, 1941, at Canton, Ohio, to Peter and Velma Mae Zerby. She grew up at Canton and attended schools there.

She moved to Wichita, where she worked at Cessna. She moved to rural Erie in 1983 and worked at HiLo Manufacturing in Chanute.

She married Vergil Nicholas on Sept. 6, 1983, at Miami, Okla. He survives of the home.

She also is survived by two sons, Zeke Ruiz of Pennsylvania and Kenny Ruiz of Canton, Ohio; two daughters, Mechelle Niekrasz of Jacksonville, Fla., and Donna Doudna of Wichita; a stepson, David Nicholas of Wichita; a sister, Ruth Mears of Canton, Ohio; 14 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, David Ruiz; and a brother, Paul Zerby.

Cremation will take place. No services are scheduled.

Memorials are suggested to Hospice Care of Kansas or St. Jude's Children's Hospital and may be left at or sent to Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home of Erie, 303 N. Grant St., P.O. Box 182, Erie, 66733.