Robert O. Nelson

robert nelson

Robert (Bob) O. Nelson, 90, of Sheffield, Illinois, passed away January 5, 2022, at home.  Bob was born March 23, 1931, in Princeton, Illinois, the son of Carl and Edna (Horrocks) Nelson. He graduated from Manlius High School in 1949 and was on the 1947 championship football team.  He enlisted and served as a welder in the US Navy (1951 to 1955) on the USS Cascade during the Korean War and put his trade to work on damaged warships.   

He married Joanne A. Hewitt on September 27, 1959, in the Fairfield Lutheran Church.  They shared 62 years together.  Bob was a lifelong farmer on land owned by the Nelson family for over a century.  Through his careful stewardship of the land, he raised a family as he raised grain, cattle, hogs and sheep. 

Bob was an active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Manlius, serving on the Church Council. He served on the Manlius School Board.  He was a member of several community groups, including Lions Club, Sheffield American Legion, Bureau County Farm Bureau, Bureau County Pork Producers, Sportsman Club and Men’s Association of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a Pride and Garst seed bean and corn dealer.

For many years, prior to his retirement and after his retirement from farming, Bob enjoyed driving the school bus for the Bureau Valley Storm School District and was beloved by his student passengers. He also served in many lay capacities in his Church.  Until recently, he looked forward to helping friends and neighbors with the fall harvest. 

Bob was well known throughout Manlius and the neighboring communities. He was quick with a smile and always happy to lend a helping hand to those in need.  He gave blood on a regular basis and during the Christmas season he was known for his pastry tea rings that he gave generously to his friends and family.  For these and many other positive attributes, he will be long remembered as someone that cared deeply about his community, the country he proudly served and its people.

He is survived by his wife, two sons, Michael (Lori), of McHenry, IL and David (Laura), of Galena, IL, granddaughter Rachel (Greg) Hansen, Palatine, and grandsons Angus, Boulder, CO, and Cooper(Melissa), Highlands Ranch, CO, and sister Marian Middleton.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother-in-law and nice.

A private family service will be held with Vicar Ryan Mackey, officiating and burial will take place in the Manlius Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church, Manlius, IL.  Online condolences may be sent to www.grant-johnsonfh.com.

View current weather.

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. So sorry for your loss. Bob was always a wonderful friend and neighbor. Our hearts are with your family, he will be greatly missed.

  2. So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. You all were the best neighbors ever! Sure will miss Bob! You have our sympathies and our prayers!

  3. My sincerest condolences to Joanne and Bob’s family. Bob was a pleasant person, well-liked in the community. He talked easily with people. My husband,Bill, and I were glad to be his friend.


Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle