Walter Nelson

Memorial services will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday, April 3, at First Presbyterian Church, Decatur, IL. Visitation will be 5-8 P.M. Friday, April 2, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, IL. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Decatur, IL with military honors by the Macon County Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 204 W. Prairie Ave., Decatur, IL 62523. Mr. Nelson was born January 22, 1925, in Kansas City, MO, the son of Walter Irwin, Sr. and Amy Seely (Johnson) Nelson. He was raised in Galva, IL, and graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He married Geraldine Lamb on May 10, 1958, in Peoria, IL. Mr. Nelson, a mechanical engineer, retired from Caterpillar after 37 years. He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, where he was also a member of the choir. He was a member of the Decatur Chordsmen for 22 years, and the barbershop quartet 4 Crying Out Loud. Since 1989, he was a member of Golden K Kiwanis and was recently awarded for accomplishing 2000 hours of volunteer community service.Mr. Nelson was a life-long participant with the Boy Scouts of America. He was Webelos Den Leader with Pack 211, and Assistant Scoutmaster and advancement chair for Troop 132 in Decatur. He served as a Commissioner at the unit, district and council levels, was a graduate of the College of Commissioner Service, and conducted Commissioner training. He was a regional camp visitation specialist inspecting Scout camps throughout Illinois and neighboring states. He conducted leadership training for the Railsplitter District and the Lincoln Trails Council. Mr. Nelson successfully completed Wood Badge training, earned membership to the Order of the Arrow and Firecrafters, and was presented the Silver Beaver Award and a District Award of Merit. He is survived by his wife Geraldine of Decatur; daughter Rebecca Nelson of North Tonawanda, NY; son John Nelson and wife Jane of Naperville, IL; sister Ann Elizabeth Heise and husband John of Park Ridge, IL; grandchildren: Jeremy Bell and wife Emily, Adam Bell, Rachel Nelson, and Samuel Nelson. "
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