Bennie Joe NELSON

LIMA, Ill. -- Bennie Joe Nelson, better known as Joe, 71, of Lima, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Monday (July 19, 2010). Joe passed away in the home of his daughter, Lisa, in Lima. He was born on Nov. 28, 1938, a son of Charles Edward and Elva Ruth Willing Nelson in Hannibal, Mo. On Sept. 21, 1957, he married Viola June Milbert in Hannibal. She preceded him in death. As a young lad, his jobs were at Bluff City Dairy, the Coca Cola plant, a textile company, Bleigh Brothers, the alfalfa mill, as a truck driver, for the International Shoe Rubber Plant, Firestone, Electric Wheel, then on to Titan Wheel for a total number of 37 years and 7 months at Firestone, Electric Wheel and Titan Wheel. In 1969 his family moved to Marcelline and in 1974 on to Lima, where he resided. Joe was always a very loving person. He loved his family and his friends; he never met a stranger and he loved to joke around. It didn't matter where Joe would be, he would always leave his mark behind with his joking ways. One of Joe's hobbies was woodworking. He absolutely loved doing his woodworking after he would come home from work and after he retired. Some of his most famous pieces will still be remembered by family and friends in their homes today. In September 2008 Joe was diagnosed with cancer. He spent seven weeks at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., undergoing treatments.  Joe also enjoyed camping, playing checkers, listening to country and gospel music, going to the Mule Fest, and racing golf carts with the grandkids and playing cards. Joe attended the Assembly of God Church and he spent many hours reading the Bible. On May 10, 2003, Joe went through the horrible tornado that wiped him, his children and grandchildren out of their homes and he lost most everything he had worked for. One of the things he was most happy for was that his grandchildren and great-grandchildren start their names with a "J" because of Grandpa Joe. Joe leaves behind his children, Rebecca Lynn Krow and Mark Dwayne Nelson, both of Lima, Kimberly June Nelson of Quincy, Lisa Ranee Seiz and her husband, Dave, and Joe Terrell Nelson, both of Lima; 11 grandchildren, Jason Krow and his wife, Caroline, Aaron and Justin Krow, Jessica Nelson, Laura Sue Nelson, and Jeremy Nelson, Jacqueline and Joshua Nelson, Jayme, Justine, and JoDawn Seiz; four great-grandchildren, Jordon and Jacob Krow, Jayden Krow and Jace Seiz; two brothers, Ray Nelson and his wife, Lois, of Hannibal, and Charles Nelson of Hannibal; four sisters, Myrt Sinclair, Cleo Cox, Rosie Marshall and her husband, Jimmy, and a twin sister, Betty Jane Brown and her husband, Charlie; and several nieces and nephews and many many friends. Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Viola; and one brother, Gene Nelson. SERVICES: 1 p.m. Thursday in the Duker and Haugh Funeral Home in Quincy. Interment will be New Providence Cemetery near Ursa. VISITATION: 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Duker and Haugh Funeral Home, Quincy. MEMORIALS: Blessing Cancer Center. ARRANGEMENTS: Duker and Haugh Funeral Home, Quincy. WEBSITE: www.dukerandhaugh.com. Condolences may be be expressed online at www.whig.com.