Gary Benjamin Nelson
Born: June 2nd, 1943
Died: December 15th, 2015
Obituary
Gary "Benny" Benjamin Nelson, 72, of Burlington, died at 6:30 AM Tuesday, December 15, 2015, at his home after a eight month battle with cancer.
Born June 2, 1943, in Monmouth, IL, he was the son of Jack M. and Mildred M. Rogers Nelson. On November 29, 1974, he married Susan Kay White at the Biggsville United Methodist Church.
Gary was raised in Biggsville and was a member of the first graduating Class of Union High School in 1961.
He joined the Army in 1966. He trained at Fort Leonard Wood, and then was stationed in Germany for twenty-six months as a Battalion Supply Specialist. While in Germany, he traveled to England, Norway, Luxumberg and Sweden. He was honorably discharged in 1969.
Gary worked at J.I. Case Co. for thirty-eight years in the Quality Control Department. After his retirement from Case in 2000, he enjoyed ten years of retirement. He then worked as a substitute custodian for the Burlington Community School District for three and a half years, a job he truly enjoyed.
He was an avid Chicago Bears and St. Louis Cardinals fan. He enjoyed golfing, working outdoors and time with his dog Molly. His lifelong dream was to own a Corvette which was fulfilled in 2004 when he became the owner of his 2003 50th Anniversary Corvette. He enjoyed driving his car on road trips to Corvette events. He also enjoyed his ten years of fishing trips to Canada with family and friends.
Survivors include his wife of forty-one years, Susan; one son, James R. Nelson of Burlington; two daughters, Jennifer L. Nelson of Chicago, IL, and Jessica S. (William) Miles of Burlington; five grandchildren, Zachary Nelson, Christopher Nelson, Bailey Nelson, Isabella Miles, and Marissa Miles.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Jack Nelson.
Visitation will be from noon until 8:00 PM with the family to receive friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM Friday, December 18, 2015, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.
The funeral service for Mr. Nelson will be 2:00 PM Saturday, December 19, 2015, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home with Reverend Dean Graber officiating and full military honors by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the community room at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home following the burial.
Memorials have been established for Great River Home Health Care and Hospice and the Des Moines County Special Needs.