Nichole Annette Hardcastle, 24, of Salem, died Dec. 4, 2011, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. She had a long battle with cystic fibrosis and died in the loving care of her family and her caregivers, Miranda, Allison and Bev.

She was born Dec. 30, 1986, in Mt. Vernon, the biological daughter of Michael McBride and Annette (Bowdler) McBride.

In 1991, she was adopted and loved by her adoptive father, Randy Leymone Hardcastle. Her mother survives in Salem.

Nichole loved spending time with family and friends. She enjoyed country music. She attended First Baptist Church in Salem.

Survivors include: Annette Hardcastle, her mother, of Salem; special friend Joe Staley; Samuel L. Hardcastle, her brother, of Salem; Patsie L. Hardcastle Schleuter, her paternal grandmother and husband Van, of Salem; Germaine Bowdler, her maternal grandmother, of Texico; and several aunts, uncles and cousins and many, many friends.

She was preceded in death by her biological father, Michael McBride, adoptive father Randy L. Hardcastle and grandfathers Jerry Bowdler and Leymone Hardcastle.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at the First Baptist Church in Salem with Andy DeWitt officiating. Burial will follow at Hopewell Cemetery in Mt. Vernon. Visiting hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church in Salem and from 10 a.m. until the service hour at the church on Wednesday.

Memorials may be made to the Samuel L. Hardcastle College Scholarship and will be accepted by the Rankin Funeral Home, who is in charge of arrangements.

Date: December 4, 2011
Submitted by: Ken Richardson