Herschel D. Nelson

WEBB CITY, Mo. — Herschel D. Nelson, age 98, of Webb City, Mo., passed away at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008, at Freeman Hospital East in Joplin, following a two month illness. Herschel was born Feb. 28, 1910, in Enid, Okla., and graduated from Galena, Kan., High School in 1929. From 1948 until 1995, he lived in Roxana, Ill., where he was employed as a carpenter for Shell Oil Co. He retired in 1972, and moved to Webb City in 1995. Following his retirement he attended art school and became an artist. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, of Joplin. He was active with the Webb City Senior Citizens and was involved with the Meals on Wheels program. His hobbies included bowling and golf. He was proud of the fact that he made a hole in one playing golf at the age of 94. Herschel married Theresa Glen Nelson Aug. 15, 1942, in Denver, Colo. She preceded him in death on May 9, 2006. Survivors include one son, Robert Nelson and wife, Gay, Seneca, Mo.; one daughter, Joann Burkhart, Cottonwood Falls, Kan.; nine grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Urbach and Bonita Scroggins; and a niece, Jean Aton. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Hedge-Lewis Chapel with Rev. Louise Reed, officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. Private burial will be in the Burkhart Cemetery in Racine, Mo. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. Services have been entrusted to the Hedge-Lewis Funeral Home, of Webb City. Memorial contributions are requested to the Joplin Humane Society in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at masonwoodard.com