Melvin Nelson

Melvin (Mel, Shorty) Nelson passed from this life at the age of 81 on June 27th at a local hospital after a lengthy illness.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, June 30 at 1:00 PM at Southern Hills Church of Christ Chapel. Entombment will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family will receive friends at Elmwood Funeral Home on Monday, June 29, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.

Melvin grew up in Middle TN in the rural community of Brotherton, near Cookeville, TN. His parents were the late J.B. and Emma Eldridge Nelson. Also preceding Melvin in death were four brothers and one sister. Surviving siblings are Jean Cooper and Bill and Nancy Nelson of Cookeville, TN.

Mel left home at an early age traveling to MI and OH. He was employed at General Motors in Dayton, OH nearly 30 years as a Millwright. He married Betty Reels in 1953. Their daughters Donna Ware and Diane Minatra were born and raised in the Dayton, OH area. Mel like to bowl, play golf and especially go fishing with his grandson and great grandsons.

After retirement, Mel and Betty moved to Fort Meyers, FL and were members of the Gulf Coast Road Church of Christ. For a time, he served as a deacon there. They were able to do extensive traveling. Mel took a part time job at Thomas Edison and Henry Ford's winter homes, enjoying meeting people from all over the world who had come to tour the homes.

In 2005 they move to Abilene to be close to their daughters. They are members at Southern Hills Church of Christ. Mel volunteered at Meals on Wheels before becoming ill.

Survivors include his wife, Betty; daughters, Donna and Phil Ware, Diane and James Minatra; grandchildren, Zach and Mandy Ware, Megan Ware, Lindsey and Matt McCarty; great grandchildren, Caleb, Shaun, Jonathan, Ryan and Charlie.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to; Heartlight, Herald of Truth or Meals on Wheels.

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Monday, June 29, 2015
5:30 to 7:30 PM

Service

Funeral Service

Southern Hills Church of Christ
3666 Buffalo Gap Rd
Abilene, TX  79605
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
1:00 PM

Cemetery

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606