Delbert Nicholas

Graveside services with police honors for Delbert D. Nicholas, 66, Shawnee, will be at Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens, Shawnee, immediately following a visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee.
Mr. Nicholas died Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born March 19, 1943, in South Park, Kan., the son of Wayne and Bessie Nicholas.
Mr. Nicholas attended Shawnee Mission North High School. After high school he went to Johnson County Community College. He joined the Shawnee Police Department on Jan. 20, 1973, and served the Shawnee community for 25 years, retiring June 12, 1998. He earned the rank of detective sergeant and was a member of the Kansas City Metro Squad, Kansas Peace Officers Association and the Kansas Intelligence Association.
Before joining the police department, Delbert worked for Vista Manufacturing and TWA as a machinist. He was a skilled woodworker and enjoyed making furniture and toys for his grandchildren and family. Delbert was active with the Kansas Fraternal Order of Police as well as Meals on Wheels. He also completed a 150-mile bike ride, the MS 150, to benefit multiple sclerosis research, and was also a member of The Plain ‘ol A’s, a Model A Club.
On July 27, 1961, he married Mary Lee VanLerberg. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include a son, Duane E., De Soto; a daughter, Cindy L. Nicholas, Olathe; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Ronnie Nicholas and wife Carrie, Waverly, Kan.; and a sister, Sharon Nicholas, Shawnee.
The family suggests memorials to Meals on Wheels, 203 S. Union St., Alexandria, VA 22314; or Fraternal Order of Police, P.O. Box 3424, Kansas City, KS 66103.
Amos Family Chapel, Shawnee, is handling arrangements.