Leland N "Lee" Nellist

1939 - 2024

GWINN, Michigan – Leland N. Nellist, Sr., 85, of Gwinn, passed away Friday, November 1, 2024, surrounded by his family, at UP Health System-Marquette.
A Celebration of the Lives of Lee and his late wife, June, will be held on Saturday, November 23. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Canale-Gwinn Funeral Home and Cremation Services. A service will be held at 11 a.m. and will be live-streamed followed by a luncheon in the funeral home. Burial will be held in the Gwinn Cemetery where military honors will be provided.
Lee's funeral service will be livestreamed at https://my.gather.app/remember/leland-n-nellist-sr
Lee was born on August 22, 1939, near Rowley, Iowa. He was the younger brother of Lillian (Monte) Cue and Glenn (Betty) Nellist, both of Independence, Iowa.
He enlisted in the US Air Force in May of 1957. He met his future wife, June Wood in California while stationed at Castle Air Force Base. They were married on June 27, 1959 and remained so for over 60 years. She preceded him in death on April 3, 2020.
Following his discharge from the Air Force in 1979, he was the owner of the Lee & Sons Gwinn Do-It Center from 1986-1996. Lee was a lifetime member of several veterans organizations including the VFW, Vietnam Veterans of America, The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and the Air & Space Forces Association. He was an avid fisherman with longtime friend and fellow services member, J.R. Shelly. Lee was also active with the Forsyth Singers for many years in addition to working on the restoration of an F-106 at the former KI Sawyer AFB. In Lee's final years, with help from his son, Lee Jr., he was busy with flower beds and yard updates. This hobby was a sense of pride and joy for Lee Sr. and June.
He is survived by his sons, Leland (Linda) Nellist, Jr., Gary (Nancy) Nellist, and Marc (Liz) Nellist; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Helen (Combs) Nellist.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Disabled American Veterans Unit 22 Marquette County D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans, 425 Fisher St., Marquette, MI 49855; VFW Post 5670 and Auxiliary, 54 N. Mitchell St., Gwinn, MI 49841; or American Legion Post 0349, 1835 County Hwy EED, Little Lake, MI 49833.
Memories of Lee and June may be shared at canalefuneral.com