Charles J. Nelson

GALVA – Charles J. Nelson, 68, of Galva, died at 2:15 p.m., Saturday, May 11, 2019 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Cremation will be accorded and a memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 18 at the Messiah Lutheran Church. Rev. Randall Swanson will officiate. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the church. Inurnment will follow at Galva Cemetery where military rites will be accorded by the Galva Fusiliers. Memorials may be directed to the Galva High School Athletic Booster Club or to Messiah Lutheran Church. Rux Funeral Home in Galva is in charge of arrangements.

Charles was born September 5, 1950 in Chicago, the son of Earl W. and Florence (Johnson) Johnson. After his father's death, his mother married Raymond Nelson, and life on the farm continued to be a source of fun and adventure for Chuck. Survivors include his brother, Peter (Rena) Nelson of Des Moines, Iowa; his sister Ann Larson of Altona; nieces and nephews Jon, Kirsten, Andrew, Carrie, Matt, and Brittany; and many cousins who were also good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law, Gene Larson.

Chuck was a member of Lynn Busy Boys 4-H Club and showed dairy cattle. At Galva High School, he played football, and his 1967 team was inducted into the GHS Wall of Fame in 2010. Chuck was among the first students to attend Black Hawk College, East Campus. He served in the U.S. Navy 1970-1973, stationed in Charleston, South Carolina. He was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church.

Chuck was an avid Chicago Bears fan. He enjoyed reading, especially Civil War history and watching old TV shows, with "Hogan's Heroes" a favorite. He liked spending time with his family and they liked spending time with him. Chuck had a wry sense of humor and a generous heart and he will be missed.

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