Charles W. Nelson Jr. Obituary
Charles W. Nelson, Jr, (better known as Charlie to many friends and co-workers) was born to Charles William Nelson, Sr., and Sylvia Hensel Nelson on August 11, 1923, in South Bend, IN. Charles had five brothers: Lawrence, Delbert, Richard, Roland, and Norman, and one sister, Loretta. All have preceded him in death. On November 12, 1942, Charles dropped out of Washington Clay HS, and enrolled in the Marine Corp. After Basic Training at Cherry Point, NC. He was trained for aircraft engine maintenance on a bomber squadron.
After training, he was sent to Ft. Worth, TX. While there, he married his childhood sweetheart, Margaret "Jayne" Lander. Charles then served with the Pacific Fleet, and spent time on Okinawa, until World War II ended. He was discharged on November 10, 1945. He then returned home to South Bend, IN and began his career as a foundry pattern designer at Studebaker Corporation. Charles went on to work at Sloan Valve in Chicago, Cummins Engine, (at the old Studebaker foundry) and then worked for several years at Sibley machine and Foundry in South Bend, retiring in 1987.
After retirement, Charles spent several years working part time at Hoven Funeral Home. Charlie loved staying busy and helping others. He could build or fix just about anything. He loved to sing in church, participating in the choir, and singing solos and duets. He also really enjoyed singing with his friends in a barbershop quartet, both in church and many years ago as part of "The Studebaker Four". He always had a song in his heart and had a warm and welcoming personality. He was admired and loved by many.
Charles was married to Jayne for 58 years until her death in 2003. They had three children, Philip (Janis Borst), Mark (Deborah Kay Bollaert) and Diana (Coniglio). Charles married Norma Jean Trowbridge in 2004, and they were together until her death in August 2022. He is survived by children Mark and Diana, his stepchildren Craig Trowbridge and Ann Devine, ten grandchildren, Kim, Phillip, David, Shawna, Jennifer, Christopher, Cari, Courtney, Chad, and Christina, and nine great grandchildren, Lauren, Parker, Isabel, Grace, Kristen, Katherine, Zachary, and Vivianne, and many nieces and nephews, who referred to him affectionately as "Uncle Charlie".
He was preceded in death by his son Philip in 2021 and his grandson Charles W. Gallup in 2019. Services will be held on March 3rd at Calvary Baptist Church in South Bend, with visitation at 10:00AM, and funeral service at 11:00AM. Honor services will be held at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens in Niles, MI following the funeral service. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan.
