Obituary of Melvin Nelson

Melvin C. Nelson Melvin C. Nelson, age 75, of Erie, died suddenly at Hamot Medical Center on Monday, May 14, 2007. He was born on August 14, 1931, the son of the late Ernest and Esther Swanson Nelson. A life long Erie resident, Mel graduated from Strong Vincent High School in 1949. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1955 in Wiesbaden, Germany. Mel was a lifelong member of Grace Baptist Church, dating back to the original location at 7th and Holland. He served his Lord and church in most every capacity and committee, most recently as an Elder of the church. He worked for 20 years in the car sales industry, spending 15 of those years as the office manager of Ferraro Ford in Girard, PA. He retired from New York Life after another 15 years of employment. Mel was an avid sports fan, particularly baseball. He enjoyed spending time traveling and watching his grandchildren play softball, baseball, basketball, and soccer. He is survived by his wife Rosalind Myers Switzer Nelson, whom he married July 15, 2006. He is also survived by four children: Tim Nelson and his wife, Dorothy, of Poland, OH, Todd Nelson and his wife, Gail, of Togo, West Africa, Joel Nelson and his wife, Denise, of Lino Lakes, MN, and Kyle Nelson and his wife, Dawn, of Rochester, MN; one sister, Phyllis Shaw of Canfield, OH; one brother, Ernest "Ernie" Nelson and his wife, Molly, of Erie; and fourteen grandchildren: Amy, Ellen, Geoff, Christopher, Kylie, Julia, Ben, Caleb, Jared, Levi, Jacob, Micah, Samuel, and Noelle. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 46 years, Lois Perry Nelson, who passed away in 2002. Friends may call on Saturday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd., and are invited to Grace Baptist Church, 3902 W. 38th St., on Sunday for a viewing from 2 until the time of service at 3:00 p.m. conducted by Rev. Al Detter. Interment Laurel Hill Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Monday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Camp Burton Capital Fund, 14282 Butternut Rd., Burton, OH 44021 or to the Grace Baptist Church Mission Fund.