Sister M. Angelita's Services
Visitation: 4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. on Friday, September 1, 2023, at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62704. Visitation will begin with a prayer service.
Funeral Mass: 6:30 p.m. on Friday, at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, Father Michael DeTemple, OP, celebrant.
Wake and Mass will be livestreamed.
Burial: 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 5 2023, Calvary Cemetery
Livestream Links
Springfield Dominican Sister M. Angelita Nickele died August 27, 2023, at Sacred Heart Convent. She was born in Chicago in 1922 to Angelo and Angela (Nee Nichele) Nickele and baptized Josephine Mary at Holy Rosary Church there. She made her profession of vows in 1949 at Sacred Heart Convent.
Early in her religious life Sister M. Angelita taught primary and middle grades at schools in Springfield, Evergreen Park, Bradley, and Chicago, Ill., and in Duluth Minn., spending many years at St. Joseph, Bradley. After a five-year leave to care for her ailing mother, she returned to ministry as a tutor and librarian at St. Christina School, 1987-1999, and then at St. Edward School, 1999-2004. She retired to Sacred Heart Convent in 2004.
Sister M. Angelita was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers John and Sam Nickele. She is survived by her brother Albert (Joan) Nickele of Hot Springs, Ark., formerly of Chicago; her loving nieces, nephews, cousins, many faithful friends, and her Dominican Sisters.
Visitors are welcome; Visitation: 4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Friday September 1, 2023, Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62704. Visitation will begin with a prayer service.
Funeral Mass: 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, Dominican Father Michael DeTemple, celebrant.
Wake and Mass will be livestreamed at springfieldop.org/livestream/
Burial 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 5, Calvary Cemetery. Livestreamed on Facebook at @springfieldop.
Memorials to honor the memory of Sister M. Angelita may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL, 62704 or at this secure online giving portal.
The Dominican Sisters and family of Sister M. Angelita are served by Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Please leave your condolences in the comments below or visit butlerfuneralhomes.com.
Sr Angelita was my aunt. She was the rock of our family on so many occasions. She took time off of teaching to help with my grandparents as they were older and sick. I just recent found one of the gifts she would give to us girls….three flavors of chapstick wrapped up with a note attached. We love you and will miss you.
Thank you to all the sisters who helped care for her as her health declined. You are all angels to the Nickele family.
Margaret,
So sorry to here of your family’s loss. She sounds like a wonderful woman. Keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
St. Angelita was first cousins to my mom, Elena Nickele Bertolini. I remember growing up and seeing her when she cared for my great aunt and uncle and then many years later when she attended my wedding. She always had a kind smile and gentle words of care and concern. Rest in peace and reunite with your family in heaven.
Rest in peace Sister! The Falkenhan family from St. Joseph Parish, Bradley, IL
Rest in peace Sister.
Kelley Martell Madsen, from St. Joe’s in Bradley class of 1981
Sister Angelita was a lifelong friend of mine from St John Bosco, Chicago, her home parish. I used to drive Father John MULVIHILL to visit her whenever she transferred within Illinois. Father John died this past June 25. I know he met her at Heaven’s chats with a warm embrace. God hold you in his arms, dear Sister. Thank you for your faithful service to the Church, your family and your friends.
I was the first lay principal at St. Christina School in Chicago. I was intimidated by the nuns who were teaching at the school! We were taught from our earliest years by the
sisters, and most of us children were afraid of them.
I soon met the three sisters at St. Christina, and fast forward, they each became my dear friend! I loved each of them.
Sister Angelita was a gift to me, her fellow teachers and especially the children. She was our chief librarian and she taught the children to not only love reading, but to cherish books!
She became upset only when she saw someone disrespecting a book.
Sister Angelita was the most respectful, loving woman who was an incredible role model for all of us. I asked Sister innumerable times to call me Bernadette. She refused! She told me she could never call the principal by her first name.
I loved Sister Angelita, and I will never forget her and all she taught me! ❤️