Howard M. Nelson

KEWANEE – Howard Mikell Nelson, 70, of Kewanee, died at 3:25 p.m., Monday, May 13, 2019 at the Kewanee Care Home after a losing battle against lung cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Cremation will be accorded and private inurnment with military rites will take place at a later date at the Rock Island National Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Howard Nelson Memorial Fund and can be left at the funeral home. Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee is assisting the family with arrangements.

He was born August 23, 1948 in Quincy, IL, the son of Horace and Margaret (Wartick) Nelson. He is survived by a daughter, Crystal (George III) Higginbottom, seven grandsons; Shawn Lucas Jr., Cameron Lucas, Nathan Lucas, Jacob Smith, George Higginbottom IV, Deontray Higginbottom and Keontray Higginbottom, two sisters, Jane Ackwright and Elaine Fundell, two brothers, David Nelson and Linnie Still and ten nieces and nephews, Tammy, Rory, Joy, Allison, David Lee, Darren, Jay, Josh, Louis, Sarah and his father. He was preceded in death by his mother.

Howard was a United States Marine and served in the Marine Corp. from January 31, 1966 to March 10, 1969. During that time, he fought in the Vietnam War. He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnamese Service Medal, the Vietnamese Campaign Medal and the Presidential Unit Citation. He was always a proud Marine. A hard-working man, he made his livelihood as a painter. He enjoyed NASCAR, walking, doing yardwork and he especially enjoyed spending time with his daughter and her family as they were the light of his life. His daughter and family would like to say thank you to the OSF Hospice nurses for the exceptional care and compassion offered to Howard and his family. Their comfort offered will never be forgotten.

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