Clinton "Bud" L. Nelson

Clinton L. "Bud" Nelson, age 81, of Oquawka, Ill. passed away at 9:30 a.m. on December 28, 2009 at his residence. On July 15, 1928, Bud was born in Burlington, Iowa, the son of Opal Nelson. Bud was raised in Oquawka where he attended local schools and graduated from the Oquawka High School in 1946. On September 16, 1951, Bud married Elaine Grate in Burlington. She preceded him in death on January 14, 1993. Bud served his country in the United States Army as a Corporal from 1951 to 1956. He was employed over 45 years by Hartzell Industries in Piqua, Ohio as a timber buyer. His first and foremost interest was in his family and grandchildren. Bud is a long time member of the Oquawka Masonic Lodge #123 and the Monmouth Low 12 Club. He is a member of the Gladstone United Methodist Church. Bud loved animals and was an gun collector. He enjoyed hunting mushrooms and arrowheads. Surviving Bud are two daughters, Linda (Dennis) Reaves and Bev (Ed) Collier both of Oquawka. His son David (Shelly) Nelson survives and is of Oquawka. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Rhiannon Reaves of Chicago, Ill., Ashley Reaves of Oquawka, Brian Collier of Oquawka, Jeff Collier of Burlington, Tyler Nelson of Newport News, Virginia, Bailey Nelson of Oquawka, and Mallory Nelson of Oquawka. One great grandchild survives Aidan Nelson of Oquawka. Preceding Bud are is mother and wife. Services:A Masonic service and funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 2, 2010, at the Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka. Interment with Military honors will be in the Oquawka Cemetery. His family plans to receive friends for an hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday from 10:00 to 11:00 am. Memorial funds are being established for the Henderson County Humane Society Spay and Neuter Program or the Henderson County Hospice.