Living

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Reed Nelson, 91 of Battle Creek, passed away, Saturday, April 30, 2011 at the Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Residence. He was born April 4, 1920 in Downers Grove, Illinois the son of DeWitte and Bertha (Hockett) Nelson. Reed graduated from Downers Grove High School in 1938 and the Michigan College of Mining and Technology (now known as Michigan Technological University) in 1942 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He was a weather officer in the Army Air Corps serving from 1943 to 1946. Reed worked at Post Cereals and I.P.I. prior to working at the Union Pump Company from 1955 to 1964. In 1964 he moved his family to Ashland, OH to work at the F.E. Myer & Brother Company. Reed returned to the Union Pump Company in 1969 and retired in 1982. Reed discovered bicycling in the early 70?s and with Ruth at his side, became an avid and passionate cyclist. They were active members of the Battle Creek Bicycle Club for many years, winning many mileage trophies along the way. Reed and Ruth enjoyed traveling, especially throughout the United States. Bicycle tours were followed in later years by trips by car or bus. In 1984, at the age of 64, Reed fulfilled a dream and rode his bike, with full pack, across the United States with a small group, following the ?Bikecentennial Trail?. It was the longest time Reed and Ruth were ever separated during 61 years of marriage. Surviving are two daughters: Laurie J. Nelson of Grand Rapids and Linda R. (Leonard) Trudeau of Antioch, IL. Family will receive friends at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home on Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with Rev. Patricia Weatherwax officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery. A luncheon will follow in the Parlor of the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to The National Kidney Foundation or the National Parkinson?s Foundation. Laurie and Linda would like to express our sincere gratitude to the professional and caring staff of Fresenius Medical Care Battle Creek on S.W. Capital for taking such good care of our Dad for the last 4 years. You became a second family to him and for that we are forever grateful.

Reed married Ruth Loraine Wellever on 11 Sep 1949 in Battle Creek, Michigan, USA. Ruth (daughter of Harold Charles Wellever and Crystal Almira Pennock) was born on 14 Mar 1927 in Battle Creek, Michigan, USA; died on 10 Feb 2011 in Battle Creek, Michigan, USA; was buried in Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ruth L. Nelson, 83, passed away Thursday February 10, 2011 at Battle Creek Health System. She was born on March 14, 1927 in Battle Creek to Herold C. and Crystal A. (Pennock) Wellever. Ruth graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1944 and attended Western Michigan University. She married Reed Nelson on September 11, 1949 in Battle Creek. Ruth was employed by the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home as office manager and had also worked at Dover Home Furnishings. She is survived by her husband, Reed, daughters, Laurie J. Nelson, of Grand Rapids and Linda R. (Leonard) Trudeau, of Antioch, IL; a sister, Jean (Leo) Blanck, of Reed City, and a sister-in-law Barbara Wellever, of Allegan. She was preceded in death by a son, Richard L. Nelson and a brother, Robert C. Wellever. Ruth was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and its choir. She was a founding member of Chapter CA of the PEO Sisterhood. Ruth enjoyed such activities as egg decorating, ceramics, sewing, knitting, playing bridge, as well as singing in the church choir and bicycle touring. Family will receive friends from 2p.m. to 5p.m. Sunday February 13, 2011 at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held 10:30a.m. Tuesday February 15, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Patricia Weatherwax officiating. Interment will be at 12:00 noon at Fort Custer National Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at 1:00p.m. in the church parlor. Memorial contributions may be given to First Presbyterian Church or American Heart Association.

Harold married Crystal Almira Pennock on 16 Aug 1920 in Battle Creek, Michigan, USA. Crystal (daughter of Eben Ellsworth Pennock and May Eula Roach) was born on 29 Jan 1896 in Delton Township, Michigan, USA; died on 23 Nov 1973 in Marshall, Michigan, USA; was buried in Hicks Cemetery, Pennfield, Calhoun County, Michigan, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Liver disease

Eben married May Eula Roach on 16 Oct 1883 in Barry County, Michigan, USA. May was born on 4 Nov 1864 in Fair Lake, Michigan, USA; died on 20 Aug 1945 in Battle Creek, Michigan, USA; was buried in North Hickory Cemetery, Barry Township, Barry County, Michigan, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]