ILION-HERKIMER - Leona M. (Kinney) Nichols, age 90, of Claxton Manor, Herkimer, formerly of London Towers, Ilion, passed away on Wednesday, May 5, 2010, at Alpine Rehabilitation & Nursing Home, Little Falls, NY. She was born on March 26, 1920, in the Kinney Family Homestead on McGowan Rd. in East Frankfort, the daughter of Michael C. and Arvilla (Perkins) Kinney. Leona graduated from E. Frankfort School and Ilion High School. On June 29, 1946, she was married to Ralph J. Nichols at the Ilion United Methodist Church by Rev. Leonard Peale. She was employed as an assembler at Sperry Rand – Univac in Ilion and Utica for 25 years. Mrs. Nichols was a member of the Ilion United Methodist Church and the Violet Rebeccah Lodge #198, where she was a past Noble Grand and past District Deputy. Leona enjoyed reading and knitting, and was a great cook who enjoyed preparing meals. Her life was centered around her family. Survivors include her two sons, Richard "Dick" Nichols and his fiancée, Patty Moynihan, of Ilion, and William "Bill" Nichols, of Remsen; four grandchildren, Jennifer, William "Billy", Shaun and Kristi; several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins; and a special friend, Doris Hennings. She was predeceased by her husband, Ralph; her brother, Paul Kinney; her sisters, Alma Lynch, Iva Marcoline and Arvilla "Mae" McGonigal. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Monday, May 10, 2010, at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Rd., Ilion, with Rev. Robert Wollaber, Pastor of Morning Star United Methodist Church, Ilion, officiating. Interment will be in Crown Hill Memorial Park, Town of Kirkland, NY. Visitation will be Monday, May 10, 2010, from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m., prior to the funeral home service. All funeral and burial arrangements were prearranged and are entrusted to Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home, Don Applegate, Funeral Director.