Maxwell Arthur Nelms

BARTLEY -- Maxwell A. Nelms, age 80, of Bartley departed this life Dec. 13, 2009, at the Cambridge Hospital of oesophageal cancer.

He was born to Marvin Arthur and Ruth Eleanor (Liston) Nelms on their farm south of Indianola, Neb., on Feb. 13, 1929. He received his grade school education at rural schools in Red Willow County, graduating from McCook High School with the class of 1946.

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Max married Dona J. O'Dea on Sept. 16, 1950 in McCook. He served in the army during the Korean War, from 1951 to 1953 and was a member of American Legion Post William Wight #245 and the VFW Post No. 7030. 

Max and Dona moved to a farm west of Bartley in 1953 and in 1962 to their farm north of Bartley. He was active in the Bartley Christian Church as an Elder, Sunday School leader and choir member. He was also active as a county and state officer in the Wheatgrowers and Pork Producers, raising prize winning cattle and hogs. He was involved in conservation and served on the board of the Dry Creek Pilot Watershed as the first area watershed was organized and structures built around Bartley. He was secretary of the Hillcrest Nursing Home Board for 20 years.

The McCook Junior Chamber of Commerce named him Outstanding Young Farmer in recognition for his service to community and farm organizations. He participated in area co-operatives and enjoyed his son's activities in school and 4-H and continued to follow the activities of his grandchildren.

Survivors include Dona and their son, Merrit A. Nelms, and his wife, Susan of Indianola; four grandchildren Marshall (Janette) Nelms and Christian, Kyra and Anikka of Lincoln; Dr. Melody (Jeremy) Heskett and Caleb, Atwood, Kan.; Mitchell Nelms and daughter Atleigh of Omaha; Mason Nelms and fiancée Kalli Estes of Indianola; two brothers Don (Shirley) Nelms, Roger (Rose) Nelms and brother-in-law Oren Carter all of McCook; one sister-in-law Betty (Richard) Phillips of San Antonio, Texas, two brothers-in-law Densel (Barbara) O'Dea and Carlton (Andrea) O'Dea both of McCook; many nieces, nephews and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents and one sister, Eleanor Carter.

Funeral services will be Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009, 11 a.m. at the Bartley Christian Church with Mike Searcey officiating. Burial will be in the Bartley Cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until 5 p.m and Friday until 8 p.m.
Friends may sign his book at the funeral home or send condolences online at www.carpenterbreland.com.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements

Maxwell A. Nelms, age 80, of Bartley departed this life December 13, 2009 at the Cambridge Hospital of oesophageal cancer.

He was born to Marvin Arthur and Ruth Eleanor (Liston) Nelms on their farm south of Indianola, Nebraska on February 13, 1929. He received his grade school education at rural schools in Red Willow County graduating from McCook High School with the class of 1946.

Max married Dona J. O’Dea on September 16, 1950 in McCook. He served in the army during the Korean War, from 1951 to 1953 and was a member of American Legion Post William Wight # 245 and the VFW Post # 7030.

Max and Dona moved to a farm west of Bartley in 1953 and in 1962 to their farm north of Bartley. He was active in the Bartley Christian Church as an Elder, Sunday School leader and choir member. He was also active as a county and state officer in the Wheatgrowers and Pork Producers, raising prize winning cattle and hogs. He was involved in conservation and served on the board of the Dry Creek Pilot Watershed as the first area watershed was organized and structures built around Bartley. He was secretary of the Hillcrest Nursing Home Board for twenty years.

The McCook Junior Chamber of Commerce named him Outstanding Young Farmer in recognition for his service to community and farm organizations. He participated in area co-operatives and enjoyed his son's activities in school and 4-H and continued to follow the activities of his grandchildren.

Survivors include Dona and their son, Merrit A. Nelms, and his wife, Susan of Indianola; four grandchildren Marshall (Janette) Nelms and Christian, Kyra and Anikka of Lincoln; Dr. Melody (Jeremy) Heskett and Caleb, Atwood, Ks.; Mitchell Nelms and daughter Atleigh of Omaha; Mason Nelms and fiancée Kalli Estes of Indianola; two brothers Don (Shirley) Nelms, Roger (Rose) Nelms and brother-in-law Oren Carter all of McCook; one sister-in-law Betty (Richard) Phillips of San Antonio, Texas, two brothers-in-law Densel (Barbara) O'Dea and Carlton (Andrea) O'Dea both of McCook; many nieces, nephews and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents and one sister, Eleanor Carter.

Funeral services were on Saturday, December 19, 2009, 11:00 a.m. at the Bartley Christian Church with Mike Searcey officiating. Burial took place in the Bartley Cemetery.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.