Raymond Ivan Nelson, 75, of Traverse City, formerly of Mancelona and Kalkaska, died Wed, Dec 27, 2000 at home.
He was born on Feb 12, 1926, in Manton, the son of Charles R and Alma (John) Nelson. On Jul 29, 1950, he married the former Helen C. Sours, who preceded him in death on Jan 13, 1991. On Aug 21, 1995, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Traverse City, Raymond married Patricia M Berens, who survives.
Raymond graduated from Manton High School in 1943, and then served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor's of science degree in 1949. Raymond was president of First of America Bank in Mancelona, retiring in 1990. He also served on the board of directors at the Antrim County State Bank. He was a life member of the VFW Post in Manton, a member of the Central Michigan University Alumni Association, a member of the Michigan Bankers Association, a member of Rotary International in Kalkaska, and was an avid reader.
He is survived by his wife Patricia; daughters Victoria (Robert) McLean of Kalkaska, Marcia (William) McGiness of Lake City, and Carol (Patrick) Dolan of Cadillac; step children Steven Berens of Lansing, Susan (Mark) Swinford of Dayton, OH, Scott (Melissa) Berens of Traverse City, and Mark Berens of Seattle, WA; and seven grandchildren.
Raymond was preceded in death by his parents.
A celebration of Rya's life was held Friday at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Traverse City; with the Revs. C. Jay Koehler and Ted Turanski officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church of Traverse City, St Paul Lutheran Church of Kalkaska, or to Munson Hospice.
Arrangements were handled by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home of Traverse City.
