Mr. Walter J. Nelson's Obituary
Mr. Walter J. Nelson, age 96, passed away Saturday, July 16, 2011 in Spring Lake. He was born in Spring Lake Township on May 17, 1915 to Aner and Katherine (Yonker) Nelson and was a life resident of the area. Mr. Nelson was a Veteran of the United States Army having served in WWII. He had been employed as a construction superintendent at Jones Electric for 33 years before retiring in 1980. After his retirement, Mr. Nelson volunteered and served on the board of International Aid. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church and enjoyed golfing, traveling, reading, hunting and fishing. Mr. Nelson was preceded in death by his first wife, Maxine (Miller) Nelson in 1972. He then met and married the former Marian J. Garfield on March 5, 1977 and she survives him along with 4 children, Sherman W. Nelson, Larry F. Nelson, Susan (John) VanOudheusden and William (Pamela) Garfield; 4 grandchildren, Erin (Jeremy) Cooper, Gregory (Jessica) Gambill, Timothy VanOudheusden and Trey Garfield; 2 great-grandchildren, Megan Cooper and Ethan Gambill; 1 brother, Donald (Karolyn) Nelson and many nieces, nephews and dear friends. In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; 5 brothers, Ed, Frank, Louis, Leslie and Lawrence Nelson and his sister, Ellen Tiejema. SERVICES will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at Bethel Baptist Church, 166 E. Byron Rd., with Rev. Douglas VanderMolen officiating. VISITATION will be from 4-7PM Tuesday at The Lee Chapel, Sytsema Funeral Home, Inc. 6291 S. Harvey St. 231-798-1100. INTERMENT will be in Mona View Cemetery. MEMORIALS may be made to Bethel Baptist Church or to International Aid.
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