Earl Nelson, Jr.

Earl Nelson, Jr. was the owner of Nelson’s Business service of Plainwell. He was one of the founding members of the Ot-Well-Egan Country Club in Allegan and a member of the Lake Doster Golf Club. He proudly served his country during World War II by enlisting in the US Army Air Corp. Of all these accomplishments, though the ones that were the most important were those of being a husband, father and grand-father.

Born on May 20, 1919 in Washington, D.C. to Earl Sr. and Harriet (Harrington) Nelson, Earl was the only boy of three children. Earl and Harriet worked hard to raise Earl, Jr. along with his two sisters, Jane and Mary, in the Otsego area, where they lived from 1920 to 1930. In 1930 the Nelsons decided to move to Plainwell where Earl resided for the remainder of his life. Earl attended Plainwell Public Schools and while in high school he was a member of the football and track teams. He also found time for the drama productions at Plainwell High School.

After graduation from high school in 1937, Earl attended Western Michigan University, graduating in 1942. While at Western Earl entered the pilot training program. He then enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp.

From 1942 until January 1945 he was stationed in India as part of the American forces in Southeast Asia. In 1945 he was reassigned to an army base in California. It was in Santa Ana, California that Earl and Evelyn Currie were married on February 26, 1945.

Earl and Evelyn began their married life together in Plainwell, where Earl began assisting his father in the family business, the Nelson Business and Tax Service. Over the years, Earl and Evelyn brought two children into the world, Randi Rene and Craig Harrington. Earl was a loving and supportive father who displayed a unique sense of humor.

Earl became involved in the Plainwell community as a member of the Rotary with a special love for his Plainwell High School Trojans. He had the honor of being a founding member of the Ot-Well-Egan Country Club and was also active with the Lake Doster Golf Club. He was an avid golfer; who was a winning part of the member-guest tournament in 1974 at Lake Doster Country Club.

In 1962, Earl and Evelyn became the owners of the Nelson Business Service; until they sold the business in 1988 to Sue Smith.

In his spare time, Earl continued his golfing and his love of reading. “Capa” was big part of his grand children’s’ lives. Earl and Evelyn seemed to be everywhere; attending athletic events, concerts and graduations.

As Earl grew older and required more care; he moved to Dussia House in Otsego where he received exceptional care from the devoted staff. The family is also very appreciative of the care he received from the caregivers from Borgess VNA Hospice. He will be remembered as a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Earl Nelson Jr. was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Evelyn June Nelson in 1995; one son, Craig Harrington Nelson in 1987; his parents; two sisters, Jane Seelye and Mary Cramer; one brother-in-law, Donald Seelye; one sister in law, Loretta Wood.

He is survived by his daughter, Randi and son-in-law, David Price of Plainwell; one daughter-in-law, Kay (Halbert) Nelson of Plainwell; his grand children and their spouses: Scott (Cindy) Price of Kentwood; Kim (Rob) Reilly of Goshen, Indiana; Christopher Price of Grand Rapids; Chase (Melissa) Nelson of Allegan; Grant Nelson of Plainwell; Alexandra Nelson of Plainwell. He is also survived by his great grandchildren: Macy Smith, Bryce Smith, Austin Reilly and Emma Reilly of Goshen, Indiana; Caryssa Price-Beard of Elkhart, Indiana; Colin, Sean and Sophia Price of Kentwood and Hadden Nelson of Allegan.

His brother in law and sister in law, Wayne and Lois Currie of Belding.

His nieces and nephews and their spouses: Michael (Sharon) Seelye of Portage; Patrick Seelye of Mattawan; Sharon Cramer of Florida; Greg (Beverly) Wood of Portage; Denise (John0 Angell of Pentwater; Wendy (Gary) Slossar of Belding; Scott Currie of Greenville and many great nieces and nephews.

Learn more about Earl, view his Life Story film and visit with his family and friends and share light refreshments, Saturday, may 2nd from 2:00 to 4:00pm at the Life Story Funeral Home, 120 S. Woodhams, Plainwell (685-5881).

The funeral service for Earl will be held on Sunday, nay 3rd at 2:00pm at the Life Story Funeral Home with Rev. Jim Dyke officiating. After the Sunday service, family and friends are invited to join Earl’s family at the Lake Doster Country Club off east M-89 in Plainwell for food and fellowship.

An private family burial is scheduled for Monday, May 4th at Hillside Cemetery in Plainwell.

Please visit Earl’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo, sign his memory book online before coming to the funeral home or make a memorial donation to the Borgess VNA Hospice.