Robert J. Nelson Jr

Robert J. Nelson Jr., 97, North Manchester, IN died at 8:15 a.m. Friday, July 10, 2015 at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne, IN. He was born September 14, 1917 in Bridgeport, CT to Robert J. & Myra L. (Ackerman) Nelson. He graduated from New Cumberland High School, New Cumberland, PA in 1934. During WWII Bob served with the Civilian Public Service (CPS) in Lagro, IN and Camp Belden in Northern California. He graduated from LaVerne College, LaVerne, CA in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts. He received MA from University of SD in 1951. On October 21, 1944 he married Mary Flook. She died April 4, 1974. He then married Esther Deardorff on December 29, 1974. She died May 1998. He then married M. June Lowder on May 8, 1999. She died December 7, 2006. He served as pastor at Lancaster Church of the Brethren, Lancaster, PA and Grand Rapids Church of the Brethren, Grand Rapids, MI 1951-1957. He was the Director of Publicity and Director of Audio Visual Services at Manchester College for 30 years and retired in 1986. He was a member of Manchester College Board of Trustees from 1955-1957 representing the Michigan district of the Church of the Brethren. Member of Lancaster, PA Ministerial Association. Chairman of Family Life Committee of the Grand Rapids Ministerial Association. Past President of Kiwanis Club, North Manchester, IN. Past President North Manchester Historical Society. Member of the Board of Trustees of Manchester Main Street, Inc. Past President of Resident Council at Timbercrest Senior Living Community. Member of Historic Preservation Committee in North Manchester, IN. He was a member of Manchester Church of the Brethren, North Manchester, IN. He is survived by one daughter, Laura L. Stults, Osceola, IN; one grandchild, three great grandchildren, twenty-four step grandchildren and several step great grandchildren. One sister, Virginia L. Hoch, died in 1961. Family and friends may call Sunday, July 19, 2015 from 12:30-2:00 p.m. at Timbercrest Chapel, 2201 East Street, North Manchester, IN. Services Sunday, July 19, 2015at 2:00 p.m. at Timbercrest Chapel, 2201 East Street, North Manchester, IN. Pastor Karen Eberly and Chaplain Don Fecher will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, North Manchester, IN. For those who wish to honor the memory of Robert J. Nelson Jr. memorial contributions may be made to Bird Friendly Landscaping at Timbercrest Senior Living Community, PO Box 501, North Manchester, IN 46962. To send a private condolence to the Nelson family, use the condolence link on the homepage.