Jack E. Nelson, age 81, of Knoxville, Illinois passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 4:46 P.M. at the Knox County Nursing Home, Knoxville, Illinois surrounded by his family.
He was born on April 25, 1943 in Galesburg, Illinois the son of Elwood and May (Pruett) Nelson. He attended and graduated from Knoxville High School, Class of 1962. He married Maureen McCue in Knoxville. Together they had three children: Kory (Todd) Redington of Galesburg, Toni (Jon) Ponder of Knoxville and Ron (Kelly Fleming) Nelson of Godfrey, Illinois. Also surviving are eight grandchildren: Ellen (Johnathan) Reed of Knoxville, Shelby (Case) Hennenfent of Knoxville, Mikeal (Kasey) Redington of Rancho Cucamonga, California, Jenna Redington of Galesburg, Taylor Redington of Galesburg, Elijah Redington of Galesburg, Caden Nagel of Godrey, Illinois and Austin Nagel of Godfrey, Illinois; six great grandchildren: Julian, Jordan, Jennelle, Emeline, Madelyn, and Jax; one sister, Shirley Nelson of Galesburg and one brother, Raymond Nelson of Gilson, and a special friend Pat Chansler of Abingdon, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Betty Stutler and one brother Bill Nelson.
Jack served his country in the United States Army Reserves during the mid 1960s. He worked for the Gates Rubber Company in Galesburg as a braider for 40 years before retiring. Jack was the most avid outdoorsman one could ever imagine. He loved hunting deer, ducks, geese, rabbits, squirrel & coyote with one of his special favorites – hunting morel mushrooms. He also loved fishing and took multiple trips to Canada on fishing excursions. He did a lot of trapping in his younger years. Jack loved his children, grandchildren & great grandchildren. Later in life he enjoyed travelling, visiting casinos to start up conversations with absolutely everyone he met. He started a successful business remodeling homes in the Galesburg and Knoxville area and renting them out. Jack’s favorite activity was getting the family together to share a meal and tell hunting stories. Jack definitely told a story like no other.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes & Crematory in Knoxville with visitation beginning one hour prior to services. Rev. Marty Briney will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Knoxville Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Oaks Community Church in rural Dahinda, Illinois. On-line condolences and/or expressions of sympathy may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com
