Daniel Nickel died June 17, 2020, in Salmon Arm, B.C., at 91. He was born in Rabbit Lake, Sask., Oct. 3, 1928. During Dan’s childhood, his parents, Peter and Katherine Nickel, moved their family of nine children from Glenbush, Sask., to Yarrow, B.C., and then to Abbotsford, B.C. Dan married Helen Martens Oct. 7, 1949, in Sardis, B.C. He worked as a mechanical engineer in Vancouver from the 1950s into the early 60s. Four sons were born to Dan and Helen: Larry (1951), Gordon (1953), Ron (1958), and John (1960). Dan studied at MB Bible College in Winnipeg, 1963–65, after which Dan and Helen served as missionaries under the MB Church in the Hyderabad area of India, 1965–73 and 1983–85. Within this 20-year period, Dan and Helen also served as missionaries in Jakarta, Indonesia, 1975–80. Between missionary terms, Dan studied at University of B.C., Vancouver (1973–74) and Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, Cal. (1980–81, M.A.), developing a deeper knowledge of Islam and missiology. Before their final term in India, Dan joined the pastoral staff at Bakerview MB Church in Clearbrook, B.C., 1982–83, and continued to serve there 1985–94. During the 1990s, Dan and Helen began a series of 12 short-term mission trips in India with Church Partnership Evangelism, now known as Disciple Making International. Their final campaign was in 2001. Dan’s wife Helen died in 2011, after which Dan moved to Eagle Bay, B.C., and finally to Salmon Arm in 2013. He is buried in the Maclure Road Mennonite Cemetery in Abbotsford.
