John Wauchek Nelson

When we think of John W. we think “Well done good and faithful servant”.

John W. Nelson, 87, of South Haven died February 8 at home.  John was born on May 11, 1927 to John A. and Lena (Wauchek) Nelson at home on a farm on the corner of CR 215 and Baseline Road near Grand Junction, MI.  He attended school in Grand Junction and Bangor.  John was drafted into the Army at the end of his junior year and served in Paris, France for 18 months.  After returning from serving his country John graduated from Bangor High School in 1947.  With the help of the GI bill, John attended Michigan State College of Agriculture where he earned a degree in Agricultural Engineering.

Upon graduation John was hired by the Michigan Blueberry Growers Association as assistant manager.  John has worked summers for MBGA starting when he was 12 years old.  After several years as assistant manager it became evident that to increase grower profibility work needed to be done on cultural practices.  John move into this position for the rest of his career.  Everything from pollination to harvesting, packaging and storage.  He worked closely with USDA and MSU as well as the North American Blueberry Council.  John enjoyed and treasured the relationships and friendships he developed over the years with all the researchers, growers and staff of fieldman.  In appreciation for his years of service to the blueberry industry the US Department of Agriculture named a blueberry variety in his honor, “Nelson”.  John was very proud of this unique honor.  John also propagated blueberry plants and started Tower View Nursery.

John’s second love was nature. He was an avid hunter and fisherman but also a student of nature. He knew every bird that came to his bird feeders. He loved to talk about the birds and small animals that he had encountered each day.  He very much enjoyed one of his retirement activities of working with an ape sanctuary in Florida.

John is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Rosemary and his sisters.

He is survived by his children –  Christine Mosley of Allegan, MI, Eileen Wigen of Grandville, MI, John E Nelson of Granger, IN, David (Jill) Nelson of Columbia City, IN, Michael (Nancy) Nelson of South Haven, MI and Edward (Phyllis) of Bangor, MI.  11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.  John loved his family dearly and loved sharing his stories with all of them.

Someone had said that they believe another reason Jesus walked the earth was to give us an example of the type of life we should live.  We believe that Dad also taught us that same example.

Visitation will be Wednesday, February 11 from 6 – 8 pm at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home in South Haven. A scripture will begin at 7:30 during the visitation.  Mass of Christian burial will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 12 at St Basil Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Robert Flickinger officiating. Burial will take place at Ft Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Basil Education Endowment Fund.