- Date Of Birth: June 5, 1921
- Date Of Death: May 7, 2017
- State: Missouri
Elmer Lee Nelson, 95, of Moberly, died Sunday, May 7, 2017, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. Elmer was born June 5, 1921, in Moberly to Richard Lee and Nina (Woodward Murphy) Nelson.
He lived, grew up, and went to school on Coon Creek Road, east of Moberly. In his adolescents, he was his fathers caretaker due to an accident which left him blind. In his teens, he worked as a truck driver and met and married his wife of 69 years Mildred Stone. They were married on October 23, 1940 in Moberly.
After they had their first child, Linda Lee, he was drafted into the Army, on October 26, 1943. He served in the U.S. Army assigned to the 29th Infantry 116th Division Company B during World War II, receiving a Purple Heart. He was also awarded the European – African – Middle Eastern Ribbon with three overseas bars, the Victory Ribbon, four Bronze Stars, a Silver Star, and Good Conduct Medal. He landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. Fought in the battles and campaigns of Central Europe, St Lo, Rhineland and the Battle of the Bulge. After the end of the war he departed Europe on December 25, 1945, and six months later arrived at Union Station in St. Louis where his wife was waiting.
He then owned and operated Elmer Nelson Lumber in Moberly, and later Moberly Wood Treating Plant. Elmer and Mildred ran the lumber yard for over 40 years, retiring and closing in 1985. He was a member of Carpenter Street Baptist Church and the VFW.
Survivors include his children Linda Crow and husband Tom of Springfield, OH, Kay Cummings and husband Robert of Crockett, TX, Darold Nelson and wife Sharon of Moberly; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; a sister Dorothy Smith of Holliday; other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and a sister Ruth Pentlin.
He enjoyed his family, attending sales and auctions, hunting, fishing, bowling, walking, and traveling. He was always ready for his next adventure.
