Colette Niccoli Obituary

Colette Niccoli (née Tophinke) passed into eternal life on January 26, 2026, at the age of 92. Colette was the devoted wife of the late Frank Niccoli. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Barbara Tophinke, and her sister and brother-in-law, Amelia and Robert Yelinek. She is survived by her nieces and nephews: Steve (Kim) Yelinek, Tom (Terri) Yelinek, Barbara (Pete) Louis, Jerry Yelinek, Charla (Dan) Dziedzic, Theresa (late Juan) Padilla, Janet (Greg) Ford, Lisa Huizenga; and many beloved great nieces, great nephews, and a great great nephew.

She grew up on the family farm in Pike County, Missouri, and stayed current with Bowling Green happenings throughout her life. She cherished her education from St. Clement elementary school, Oldenburg Academy, and St. Louis University. She was an active member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and was a long-time supporter of Duchesne High School, St. Joseph Health Center Auxiliary and its Cancer Information Center, St. Charles County Historical Society, German Club, FISH, and political "grassroots" organizations.

Colette generously gave ten years of her professional life to teaching, a vocation about which she was truly passionate. Her life was marked by an infinite thirst for learning and an endless supply of gratitude for all God's blessings.

The family is being served by Alternative Funeral and Cremation Services. She donated her body to St. Louis University Medical School. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday April 18 at 11:00am at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Visitation will begin at 10:00am at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the capital campaign at St. Charles Borromeo Church (601 N Fourth Street, St. Charles, MO 63301) or Oldenburg Academy (1 Twister Circle, PO Box 200, Oldenburg, IN 47036; https://www.oldenburgacademy.org/ways-to-give#academy).