John "Nick" Nicholson Earll

CARBONDALE-John Nicholson “Nick” Earll, 84, died on Sunday, March 25, 2018 in Harrisburg. Nick was born on Sunday December 10, 1933 in Carbondale. He was the older of the two children of George Clinton Earll and Edna Lucille (Wiley) Earll. Nick married Marjorie Johnson November 22, 1961. She passed away August 27, 2004.



Nick was also preceded in death by parents, his brother Jack and beloved little dog Guinevere.



Nick attended the one-room Buncombe Grade School near Makanda, Illinois, through sixth grade. He completed grade school near Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and went to Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School and Theodore Roosevelt Senior High School in Honolulu, Hawaii. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1952, served in Hawaii, Korea, Japan, and Colorado. He enrolled at Southern Illinois University of Carbondale (SIUC) in 1955 where he earned a B.A. in English Literature and a M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling. He worked for the Illinois Department of Labor, the Illinois Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Illinois Department of Mental Health until retiring in 1991.



Nick enjoyed reading, writing, nature, walking, and many kinds of music. He particularly enjoyed acting and was a long time member of the Stage Company in Carbondale. He was proudest of his roles in “Same Time, Next Year”, “The Diviners”, “Inherit the Wind”, “House of Blue Leaves”, and “The Odd Couple.” His role of Pa Joad in “Grapes of Wrath” at SIU-C’s McLeod Theater was very special to him as were roles as the Stage Manager in “Our Town” at McLeod and the Stage Company. He toured in Illinois and in North Carolina in his one-man show based on the life and works of the poet, Carl Sandburg.



Nick leaves behind his sister-in-law Barbara, niece Gayl Robinson, nephews Wally and Lyle, and several grand-nieces and nephews. He regrets leaving respected and admired friends and colleagues at the Stage Company, especially Chris Moe who was a guide, teacher, and a very unique person. Nick also regrets leaving special friends Loren and Lisa Cocking, Aldona Johnson, Perry and Susan Patterson, Don and Velma Bailey, Barry and Eileen Komie, and Cheryl Francis.



Per Nick’s wishes there will be no services. Memorials may be made to the Stage Company, P.O. Box 463, Carbondale, Illinois 62903. Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale assisted the family. To leave a story or memory visit www.meredithfh.com.