Maurice "Ozzie" Nelson

Maurice "Ozzie" Nelson, 82, of East Moline formerly of Moline, died Tuesday, March 13, 2012 due to complications with his esophagus at Illini Restorative Care, Silvis, IL. Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. Friday, March 16, 2012 at First Lutheran Church, 1230 5th Avenue, Moline. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 15, 2012 At Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., 6601 38th Avenue, Moline. Burial is at Riverside Cemetery. Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church or to Music Guild. Ozzie was born May 31, 1929, in Moline, IL, to H.S.M. (Mauritz) Nelson and Agda (Erickson) Nelson. He graduated from Moline High School and attended Augustana College. While in high school, Ozzie worked as high school sports writer for the Moline Dispatch. He later worked for the Moline Post Office and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. In 1960, Ozzie became manager of Devitt's Jr. Boot Shop. In 1967, he purchased the business. He retired in 1992. Oz enjoyed singing and was a member of the Moline Youth Chorus, Light Opera Chorus, 20 Under 20, and Chordaires. He was an original member of the Quad City Music Guild where he met his wife, Dorothy (Dot) Devitt. They married on September 19, 1954 in Davenport, IA with the distinction of being the first Music Guild couple to marry. Oz was a member the First Lutheran Church senior choir, past secretary and president of the Moline Exchange Club, and was a charter member of the former Mill Creek Country Club where he helped plow the first fairway during construction. His interests included reading and playing golf, bridge, and crossword puzzles. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather, and he enjoyed attending his grandchildren's school, musical, and sporting events. Oz will be remembered for his smile, his wonderful sense of humor, his gentlemanly ways, and his easygoing manner. Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Dorothy; daughter, Lori (Bruce) Dalfonso, Moline; grandchildren Liz (Erik) Olson, Winchester, CA; Alex Dalfonso, Chicago, IL; Sarah Dalfonso, Carol Stream, IL; and great-grandchildren, Jakob and Johanna Olson. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Arline Victoria, who died the year before Ozzie was born; and brother, John, who died at birth.