John R. Nelson, LBI ’54, went to his Heavenly home on February 11, 2016.
He was born and raised in Clinton, IL. John spend four years in the US Navy. After his discharge, he enrolled in and graduated from LBI, now Lincoln Christian University. He served as a minister to several churches in Illinois and Indiana, specializing in the establishment of new congregations. He worked as an independent insurance agent in Lincoln. John and his former wife, Betty Usherwood, have three sons and eight grandchildren. They were instrumental in helping to establish Jefferson Street Christian Church. After leaving Lincoln they moved to Carmi, IL and John became the first administrator of Wabash Christian Retirement Center. Ten years later they moved to Orlando, FL where he was Director of Operations for a chain of retirement homes. He retired in 2001. Memorial services were held at Union Park Christian Church on February 15th.