Lawrence Nelson

1956 - 2025

Lawrence Nelson

Lawrence ("Larry") Ellsworth Nelson, 69, of Temperance, Michigan, passed peacefully into glory knowing where he was going surrounded by family after a 4-year battle with prostate cancer.

Larry was born March 7, 1956, to Archie and Gladys (Shipman) Nelson, in Maumee, Ohio. He was a 1974 graduate of Maumee High School. He married Sandy (Appling) Nelson on March 29, 1986, his loving wife of 39 years.

Larry loved his family. He came from a good family and had a nice childhood growing up in the same house his dad had built where he lived from birth until moving out on his own. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and trapping as he lived near the Maumee River. He was a lifelong boater, member of RVYC, Hubbard Lake, Michigan, and Punta Gorda, Florida. A hard-working man able to fix just about anything related to a house! He passed on his work ethic and skills to his sons.

He was a new car salesman for 13 years and considered that his college education and was very good at it as he was awarded top salesman many years. Family life sparked the career change to full time real estate, renovating and renting single family homes. Larry also built a dream lake home on Hubbard Lake in Northern Michigan.

The family enjoyed many long weekends and summers there, and, of course, he made many dear friends and neighbors there. In 2019 another dream came to pass by buying a Florida home on a canal. He and the love of his life were very blessed with family and friends that became like family. Another huge blessing was the birth of his first grandchild, Ellie Ellsworth, and he loved to watch her dance and smile and was so pleased they shared a middle name. Being a man of strong faith, he belonged and served at Bedford Alliance Church in Temperance, MI, and Peace River Baptist Church in Punta Gorda, FL.

Larry was openly happily married and spoiled his wife in many ways, especially with his thoughtfulness, planning, handiness and hard work. They attended many Marriage retreats at Camp Michindoh in Hillsdale, MI, where other attendees became dear friends and like family over the years.

Larry and Sandy were a good team and took good care of each other. Larry had many great lifetime friends and some who needed to step up when he got ill and we will never forget those who helped, visited, prayed and cared for him and his family. Larry was a great husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend! Larry worked hard his whole life and planned well for his family to have a good life.

He had four faithful black lab dogs that he called a 4-dog life. He was a big University of Michigan football and basketball fan thanks to his former boss and father like figure, Tom Bedell Sr.

The family would like to extend a special Thank You to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, especially his "buddy", Brittney, for the amazing care and support.

Surviving are his wife; two sons, Matthew (Dionisia) and Bradley (Jessie Duhon); brother, Michael (Paula); sister, Bonnie Schinasi; grandchildren, Ellie Ellsworth and Leo David; along with many loved ones, including in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Preceded in death by his parents, and many loved ones, including in-laws, and several special friends and mentors.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 17, 2025, from 4:00-8:00 p.m., at Reeb Funeral Home, in Sylvania, at 5712 N. Main Street. The funeral service will be Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at Reeb Funeral Home, at 12:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Focus on the Family Ministry or Camp Michindoh in Hillsdale, Michigan. Online Condolences to

www.reebfuneralhome.com