Robert Lloyd Nelson

CHRISTMAS, MI-Robert Lloyd Nelson, age 94 of Christmas, passed away in the early morning hours of October 16, 2025 at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette.

Bob was born on March 3, 1931, above the Artibee Grocery and Supplies store, to Harry and Marceline Nelson. This building once stood on a lot that now comprises the parking lot for the Family Dollar in Munising. He attended Munising Schools and graduated from William G. Mather High School, with the class of 1949. He was also a faithful member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Munising.

While in high school, Bob was a three-sport athlete, including being a member of the 1949 conference champions football Mustangs, who only allowed 7 points all season. He also played basketball, was a shot putter for the track team and was also a member of the high school band, where he play the slide trombone.

When Bob was in the 8th Grade, he and Nancy Oas began going together. Then on November 4, 1950, he and Nancy were married at Sacred Heart Church. Bob had enlisted in the U S Air Force. Consequently, they moved around frequently over the next four years.

Following basic training at Lackland A F B, Bob was sent to Hughes Aircraft Co. in Denver CO, to learn electronics. He was then sent to North American Aviation Co. in Los Angeles, CA, to learn about aircraft guidance systems. With this training, Bob would play a key roll for bringing the Air Force into the modern era of avionics.

While Bob was stationed at McCord Air Force Base near Lakewood WA, Nancy gave birth to their first of four sons, William (Bill). He was born at Madigan Hospital at Fort Lewis, near Tacoma, WA. On February 16, 1952.

Nancy gave birth to their second son, John (Jack), on December 29, 1953, while Bob was stationed at George Air force Base, near Victorville, CA. At that time, he was attending school at North American Aviation. Following his training, Bob would oversee the installation of modern airplane guidance systems for the Air Force. Bob was honorably discharged in January of 1955. Upon his discharge, the family moved back to Munising. On October 12, 1958, a third son, Kenneth (Ken) was born at the old hospital, on Maple St. Then, on November 13, 1959, a 4th son, Thomas (Tom) was born at the old hospital.

Upon moving back to Munising, Bob went to work with his father Harry, at Harry’s Shell. In 1968, a new structure was built in front of the old, aging structure. It would be called Harry’s Multiservice. Bob and Nancy’s 4 sons would go on to put in their time working at the station. Though 3 of the 4 brothers would move on to other opportunities, Tom took over the business upon Bob’s retirement in 2002. The business would become known as the Nelson Oil Co.

The company operated a number of side businesses as well. Deliveries of gasoline to five satellite stations, fuel oil deliveries for home heating and heavy equipment, U-Haul rentals, production and packaging of block and cube ice, inside service work and eventually mechanical work. Tom operated the business until it was sold in 2022. The Border Grill, a Mexican style grill now operates out of the old building.

In 1955, Bob and Nancy purchased a lot on Mirror Lake and with the help of his brother in-law, Bob Oas, a family camp was built. Much of the lumber used in its construction, was salvaged from the old Champine Building which stood on the corner of Munising Ave. and Lynn St.

Bob was a member of numerous local organizations. He was a member of the Munising Volunteer Fire Department, for 25 years. He would eventually become the Assistant Chief. He was a 4th Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the Vanguards male singing group. He and Nancy golfed for many years in leagues at The Pictured Rocks Golf Club. He and Nancy were Eucharistic Ministers at Sacred Heart Church. He was also a member of the American Legion Roderick Prato Post 131.

Bob and Nancy cared for Nancy’s mother and Bob’s dad in their later years. It was at this time that they moved to Christmas in order to provide their care. Following the passing of Bob’s dad in 1998, they began spending winters in Panama City Beach, FL. Over the next 20 years, they made many new friends among the ‘snow birds’. They were members of a golf league that golfed at Tindal AFB, they also participated with a group called the Snow Birds, a group who fled the snows of winter in the north, for warmer climates in the south. For the past seven years, they have chosen to remain in Christmas and endure the winters of the Great White North.

Bob is survived by his sons: Bill and (Sara Thorne) Nelson of Lansing, MI, Jack and (Mari Thiebert) Nelson of Wyandotte, MI, Ken and (Lynn Lopez) Nelson of Oconomowoc, WI and Tom and (Lisa Harger) Nelson of Munising. Grandchildren: Karla (Spencer Holt) Nelson of Tampa FL, Eric (Gina DeMaggio) Nelson of Royal Oak MI, Jennifer Nelson of Wyandotte MI, Rob and Kelsey (Carpenter) Nelson of Wyandotte MI, Sandra Lemerand near Louisville KY, Nancy (Justin Pyatt) Nelson of Menomonee Falls WI, Ken and (Rut Jimenez) Nelson of Waukesha, WI Jamie (Jonathan Fargo) Nelson of Mad River, CA and Chantelle Harger of Munising, plus 11 great grandchildren. Bob is also survived by a brother Jim Nelson of Munising, along with many nieces, nephews and extended family

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Nelson, on September 6, 2025, his parents, Harry and Marceline Nelson, a brother John Charles (Chuck) Nelson and grandson Travis Olson.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, October 26, 2025 at the Bowerman Funeral Home where a parish vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. and family and friends can share memories and stories. Bob’s Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025 at Sacred Heart Church.   Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery where military honors will be rendered by the Alger County Veterans Honor Guard. A luncheon will follow the burial at LaMothe Hall. 

For those wishing to make charitable contributions, in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Sacred Heart Church or St Vincent DePaul, both in Munising.