Charles Nelson

Charles Edwin Nelson, 96, of Kissimmee, FL and formally of Griggsville, IL passed away Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at Pittsfield Manor in Pittsfield, IL. He was born September 9, 1928, at home in Maysville, IL to Cecil Edwin and Mary Lenore Bradburn Nelson. Charley graduated from Griggsville High School in 1945. He received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Education from Western Illinois Teachers College in Macomb, IL where he met his wife, Mary Anna Killingsworth. They were married on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1948, at First Baptist Church in Galesburg, IL. They were married 61 years before she passed in 2010. Charley was a lifetime farmer since the age of 14 until the fall of 2024 driving the combine to help his son-in-law, Carl Brown. Golfing was his sport with membership at Old Orchard Country Club since 1966. He was a five-time winner of the Labor Day Tournament. Charley was a member of the Griggsville United Methodist Church, Farm Bureau, and Moose Lodge. He was a past member of the Phi Sigma Fraternity, Odd Fellows, Griggsville Board of Education, Griggsville and Pittsfield Dance Club, and Valley City Boat Club. Survivors include one son, Charles Stephen Nelson and wife Deborah of Normal, IL; one daughter, Mary Lynn Brown and husband Carl Brown of Griggsville, IL; grandchildren, Jason Todd (Jessica) Brown of Jacksonville, IL, Brian Shane (Anita) Brown of Hawthorne Woods, IL, Katie Elizabeth (fiancé, Joe Pahutski) Nelson of Olympia, WA; five great grandchildren, Jacob, Jonas, Jase, Jaxon, Mila, and Banks Brown; one niece; four nephews; several great nieces and nephews; and good friend, Mary Lou Blake. Charley was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Mary Lenore Nelson; sisters, Virginia Witty and Mary Isabelle Willard; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Alan and Margie Killingsworth. Funeral service will be held at 12:00 PM, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield, IL with visitation held prior to the service from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the funeral home. Interment will follow the service at West Cemetery in Pittsfield. Memorials are suggested to be made to Griggsville United Methodist Church or Pittsfield West Cemetery. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com. Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles Nelson, please visit our floral store.