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Chris Nelson Obituary
Born: March 22, 1940
Died: December 20, 2025
Chris Nelson of Batavia, formerly of Oswego, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 20, 2025.
Chris was born on March 22, 1940, to Fred and Geneva (Moffatt) Nelson in Hoopeston, IL. He graduated from Illinois State University in 1962 and began his teaching and coaching career in Altamont, IL, where he met and fell in love with his loving wife, Nancy. They were married in 1964 and moved to Sandwich, where they both taught for a number of years. Chris then sold insurance and managed a hotel before returning to teaching and coaching basketball in Oswego and then in Yorkville. Throughout his career, he taught part-time at Waubonsee Community College. Upon his retirement from Yorkville, he then supervised math student teachers from Northern Illinois University and Aurora University. He also taught at Benedictine University in a part-time capacity before finally retiring.
Chris enjoyed traveling, spending time with his family, golfing, going to the casino, and watching the Cubs, Bulls, Bears, and the Fighting Illini, as well as the Hallmark channel. Prior to moving from Oswego, he spent many mornings at coffee with his McDonald's friends. He also looked forward to playing Wordle at the Landing three times a week. Chris was a long-time member of Cross Lutheran Church, where he taught Sunday School and was a member of the school board. He enjoyed eating meals with his family, and especially grilled filets from Reams.
Chris is survived by his daughters, Tami (Scott) Pfister of North Aurora and Staci (Stevin) Dahl of Ames, IA; his granddaughters, Megan (Nick) Lenert of Montgomery, IL, and Allison (Marco Rojas) Pfister of Naperville, IL; his sister Edith Baldwin of Hoopeston, IL; his sisters-in-law, Peggy Nelson of Crescent City, IL, and Sharon Maguire of Crown Point, IN; his brothers-in-law, Jim (Cindy) Janssen of Crossville, TN, and Jan (Nanci) Janssen of Paducah, KY; numerous nieces and nephews; as well as 5 grandcats, Sammie, Oliver, Ember, Herman, and Pepper.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, in May 2025; his parents, Fred and Geneva; his sisters, June Gholson and Joan Leslie; and his brothers, Fred and Joe Nelson.
Visitation will be held at Nelson Larson Funeral Home, 1617 N. Bridge St., Yorkville, IL on Friday, January 2, 2026, from 4:00-8:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at Cross Lutheran Church, 8609 State Rt. 47, Yorkville, IL on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 10:00 am. Interment will follow in the Cross Lutheran Cemetery in Yorkville, IL.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Chris to Cross Lutheran Church Building Fund.
Arrangements by Nelson Funeral Homes and Crematory, www.NelsonFuneralHomes.com or 630-553-7611.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Chris Nelson
Sponsored by Nelson Funeral Home - Yorkville.
1 Entry
Robert Frye
January 1, 2026
I was at Yorkville High School when Chris taught and coached there. He became a good friend. For a number of years I was a spotter for Chris when he announced the football games at YHS. The other spotter, Tim Lowry, was also a good friend of Chris. Sadly Tim and now Chris are no longer with us. We were such good friends that we could tease each other about the Cubs, which he followed, and the White Sox who I followed. He was an excellent teacher and a great basketball coach. He was a very good man. I know he is now reunited with his wife Nancy which I know he will enjoy but my condolences to his family. You will miss him greatly but you have many memories you can call on at any time and smile. Those memories will stay with you but the loss will still be deeply felt. Remember that Chris was not only a good man, he was a faithful Christian. His faith will make his passing easier for him and I know he would tell you that your faith that he exemplified for you, is important, now more than ever. I have lost yet another friend. Outside of losing a family member, the loss of a good friend is a huge loss. I will continue to pray for Chris as time goes on. My sincere condolences to you.
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