1940
Foster
2024
Foster "Buzz" Nelson
April 2, 1940 — August 29, 2024
Foster “Buzz” Nelson, 84, passed away in his home in Decatur, IL on August 29th, 2024.
He was born April 2nd, 1940 in Decatur, IL to Norman and Vercele Nelson. Buzz grew up in Cerro Gordo, IL where he would later teach and coach for many years. Before finding his career in education, he proudly served his country in the U.S. National Guard.
The impact he had on his students is immeasurable. He couldn’t go anywhere without hearing a “Hey, coach!” or “How’s it going Mr. Nelson?”. After retiring from Cerro Gordo School District, he continued his passion in education, teaching GED classes at Richland Community College. That led him on a path to a whole new career, teaching computer classes and helping run operations at Performance Learning Solutions.
On June 1st, 1963, he married the love of his life, Garda Eades. He worshiped the ground she walked on. They built a wonderful life together with their two “beauties”, Lori and Glenna.
Buzz and Garda enjoyed time spent with special classmates and friends like Maralyn, Galen, Carolyn and Dick.
An athlete since youth, he enjoyed swimming, running, basketball, football, and especially tennis. He carried on his love for tennis, making sure his daughters and grandchildren all learned the fundamentals.
Buzz had an incredibly witty sense of humor, and a love for life that was infectious. He treasured every day on this planet with his family. His family was the center of his universe.
He spent many hours as a patron of his favorite local joints, but nothing could beat The Winery, “one of the finest establishments in Decatur” according to Buzz. You could always find him sitting in his booth with his family on a Saturday afternoon, glass of Cabernet in hand.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Georgia Squires, Vee Shanahan, Jackie Erickson, and Robert Nelson.
He is survived by his loving wife, Garda; his two daughters, Lori Donley and Glenna (Craig) McKenzie; four grandchildren, Jessica (Jacob) Summers, Rachel Donley (Mason Wisley), Shelby McKenzie (Mason Brownlow), and Jake McKenzie; brother-in-law Rick (Lynn) Eades; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Graveside services with military rites will be held at Cerro Gordo Cemetery on Wednesday, September 4th, 2024 at 11am where all who knew and loved Buzz are welcome to attend.
Memorials in Buzz’s honor can be made to the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation, 6952 Claybourne Drive, O’Fallon, MO 63368-6202
He was born April 2nd, 1940 in Decatur, IL to Norman and Vercele Nelson. Buzz grew up in Cerro Gordo, IL where he would later teach and coach for many years. Before finding his career in education, he proudly served his country in the U.S. National Guard.
The impact he had on his students is immeasurable. He couldn’t go anywhere without hearing a “Hey, coach!” or “How’s it going Mr. Nelson?”. After retiring from Cerro Gordo School District, he continued his passion in education, teaching GED classes at Richland Community College. That led him on a path to a whole new career, teaching computer classes and helping run operations at Performance Learning Solutions.
On June 1st, 1963, he married the love of his life, Garda Eades. He worshiped the ground she walked on. They built a wonderful life together with their two “beauties”, Lori and Glenna.
Buzz and Garda enjoyed time spent with special classmates and friends like Maralyn, Galen, Carolyn and Dick.
An athlete since youth, he enjoyed swimming, running, basketball, football, and especially tennis. He carried on his love for tennis, making sure his daughters and grandchildren all learned the fundamentals.
Buzz had an incredibly witty sense of humor, and a love for life that was infectious. He treasured every day on this planet with his family. His family was the center of his universe.
He spent many hours as a patron of his favorite local joints, but nothing could beat The Winery, “one of the finest establishments in Decatur” according to Buzz. You could always find him sitting in his booth with his family on a Saturday afternoon, glass of Cabernet in hand.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Georgia Squires, Vee Shanahan, Jackie Erickson, and Robert Nelson.
He is survived by his loving wife, Garda; his two daughters, Lori Donley and Glenna (Craig) McKenzie; four grandchildren, Jessica (Jacob) Summers, Rachel Donley (Mason Wisley), Shelby McKenzie (Mason Brownlow), and Jake McKenzie; brother-in-law Rick (Lynn) Eades; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Graveside services with military rites will be held at Cerro Gordo Cemetery on Wednesday, September 4th, 2024 at 11am where all who knew and loved Buzz are welcome to attend.
Memorials in Buzz’s honor can be made to the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation, 6952 Claybourne Drive, O’Fallon, MO 63368-6202
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Foster "Buzz" Nelson, please visit our flower store.
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