Ian "Sandy" Nelson

Ian “Sandy” Nelson, 82, formerly of Rochester, passed away on Monday, October 1, 2018 at Eastland Retirement Community in Auburn IL. 

Sandy was born December 15, 1935 in Danville Illinois, the son of John T. and Goldia M. (Davis) Nelson.

He graduated from Lanphier High School in 1954 and served as a paratrooper in the US Army. He married Virginia M. Wesley in 1957 and celebrated 60 years together until her death in 2017. 

Sandy was a communications technician for Western Electric and Illinois Bell until his retirement and then for the State of Illinois Telecommunications Center. He was perhaps best known as an avid soccer booster, coaching both boys and girls teams and officiating in the early days of the YMCA’s youth soccer program and as a die-hard Illini fan.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and a sister, Jean.    

He is survived by a son, Ian “Rob” Nelson; two daughters, Carrie (Vern) Zachgo and Michelle (Mike) Carlisle; brother, Alex; two sisters, Margaret “Peigi” Strode and Dianna Kelly; five grandchildren, Katie (Cameron) Willoughby, Jonathan Nelson, Kimberly, Maria and Michael Carlisle; and several nieces and nephews. 

Visitation will be held on October 3, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Ellinger-Kunz and Park Funeral Home, 530 N. 5th St, Springfield IL, 62702. The Funeral will be held on October 4, 2018 beginning at 10:00 a.m. Entombment will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery. 

Memorials may be made to YMCA Youth Soccer.

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