Rebecca Jane (Staples) Nikles, 75, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Monday (November 26, 2012) at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville.

The daughter of Chester and Dorothy (Ficklin) Staples, she was born June 19, 1937 in Jefferson City, Missouri. On July 24, 1976 in Oklahoma City, OK, Rebecca was united in marriage to Alben “Al” Nikles who preceded her in death on October 6, 2006.

She was also preceded in death by her parents.

Rebecca is survived by one brother, Jack Staples of St. Louis, MO; one sister-in-law, Nell Curtis of Grand Rapids, MI; two nieces, Sandi Mize of Grand Rapids, MI, and Janell Anderson and husband Steven of Cedar Springs, MI; two nephews, Lonnie Zamarripa and wife Sue and Derrick Curtis and wife Debi, all of Grand Rapids, MI, as well as several great nieces and nephews.

Rebecca resided in Overland Park, Kansas thirty-two years and was employed as an insurance manager. In 1990, she and her husband moved to Kirksville, Missouri to make their home.

Rebecca was a very loving and caring person who had a great love of cats, especially her cat Pepper. She loved feeding birds and spending time with her friends. Rebecca spent every Wednesday with a Bible study group.

Graveside service will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday (November 29, 2012) at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Marceline, Missouri, with Pastor Ralph Wheeler officiating.

Family will receive friends on Thursday (November 29, 2012) from noon to 1:00 p.m. before leaving for the graveside service in Marceline.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Rebecca Nikles may be made to the Adair County Humane Society. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.