Kenneth Nelson

Kenneth Nelson

ROCK ISLAND -- Kenneth H. Nelson, of Rock Island, passed away Tuesday, December 18, 2007, at St. Anthony's Continuing Care Center, Rock Island. Services will be 1 p.m. Friday, December 21, 2007, at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Milan. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Thursday at the funeral home. Inurnment will be at a later date in the National Cemetery, Arsenal Island. Memorials may be left to Kidney Foundation. Kenneth was born March 15, 1927, in Rock Island, the son of Ebbie and Opal (Brotherton) Nelson. He married Barbara Thomas. He later married Marcella Johnston on December 30, 1985, in Las Vegas, Nev. Mr. Nelson was retired from IH Farmall Works in 1985 after 20 years. He also as a produce stand at the Davenport Farmers Market for many years. Mr. Nelson was a World War II Navy veteran, having served on the USS Brown and USS Boyd. He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific, American Arena, World War II Victory and Philippine Liberation Medals. Kenneth had been past commander of the Milan American Legion Post 569. Survivors include his wife, Marcella; son, Kenneth Nelson, Jr., Wichita, Kan.; stepdaughters and spouses, Margaret and Allen Wilson,of England, Carol Muilenburg, Milan, Barbara and Dean Buhle, Bernard, Iowa, and Ann and David Rosales, Grand Junction, Colo.; stepsons and spouses, John and Lynde Johnston, Buffalo Prairie, and Joseph and Denise Johnston, Ramona, Calif.; daughter-in-law, Brenda Nelson, Strong City, Kan.; step-son-in-law, Gary Willits, Rock Island; 18 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Martha Johnson, Milan, and Loretta Nimrick, Rock Island. Kenneth was preceded in death by a son, Keth Nelson, infant daughter, Debra, stepdaughter, Dorothy Willits, stepson, George Johnston, three sisters and four brothers.