Aaron G. Nicklas, 40, of 164 E. Oil Well Street, St. Marys, PA passed away with his wife by his side, Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at Penn Highlands DuBois, following a 22-month battle with cholangiocarcinoma.

He was born January 26, 1984, in DuBois, the son of John and Charlotte Gorlowski Nicklas. He was a lifelong resident of the area and a graduate of St. Marys Area High School, Class of 2002.  He attended Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, as well as the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.  He was employed by the Elk County Prison for many years.  He was appointed Deputy Warden of the Prison in April 2022. 

On July 2, 2011, in Warren, PA, Aaron married Lacy R. Rivett, who survives. Along with his loving wife and parents, Aaron is survived by his son, Tate; his sister, Nichole Manner (David) of Jefferson City, MO; his brother Matthew Nicklas (Miki Quattrone) of St. Marys; mother-in-law, Branda Gerbec (Dale) of Auburn, AL; father-in-law, Louis Rivett (Kim) of Youngsville, PA; his “grammy”, Janet Barnes of Youngsville, PA; sister-in-law, Megan Saeli (Matt) of West Brownsville, PA; brother-in-law, Cody Rivett (Hannah) of Cyclone, PA; stepsister, Danielle Gustafson (Gareth) of Chesapeake, VA and stepbrother, Brad Gerbec of Greensburg, PA.  He is also survived by his nieces and nephews:  Olivia and Megan Manner, Rylee and Mason Nicklas, Kayla, Harper and Hudson Saeli, and Henry and Charlie Rivett; as well as his dogs, Daisy and Daphne; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.  

Aaron was preceded in death by a sister in infancy, Laura Ann Nicklas; a brother in infancy, Adam John Nicklas; maternal grandparents, Frank and Helen Gorlowski; paternal grandparents, Jim and Gertrude Nicklas; and his best friend, Lloyd. 

Aaron was a gifted athlete.  He played football at Lock Haven University, as well as for the DuBois Mountain Lions, where he was elected to the league’s Hall of Fame in 2023.  His other interests included art, tattooing and weightlifting.  He was also a talented baker and made the best chocolate chip cookies.

Everyone knew Aaron as a gentle giant.  He was a selfless, loyal friend and fiercely protective over everyone he loved.  After his cancer diagnosis, he remained positive and thankful that it was himself and not someone he loved.  He never let the diagnosis define him, and lived by the motto of, “Always Forward.” 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Friday, June 21, 2024, at 10:00 AM with the Rev. Thomas More Sikora, OSB, celebrating.

Visitation will be held in the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM.

Memorial donations, if desired, may be made to Hahne Cancer Center, 100 Hospital Ave., DuBois, PA 15801.

Online condolences may be offered at www.lynch-radkowski.com