Elwynn E. "Al" Nelson

BRISTOL — Elwynn E. “Al” Nelson, 87, of Bristol, passed away peacefully of natural causes at his home at 9:18 p.m.Monday, July 31, 2017.

He was born Oct. 18, 1929, in Arpin, Wisconsin, to the late Walter and Mabel (Sorenson) Nelson.

Surviving are his children Cynthia (Sam Ludwig) Nelson of Bristol, Mark (Chris) Nelson of Edwardsburg, Michigan and Mike Nelson of Colorado; brother Roger (Betsy) Nelson of Gulfport, Misssissippi; grandchildren Heather (Tim) Mellinger, Vicki (Luke) Leifer, Sammy (Sherri) Ludwig, Lexi Ludwig, Drew and Josh Nelson, Alicia (Corey) Hale and Missy (Josh) Filler; and nine great-grandchildren including one on the way.

He also leaves behind his former spouse (and mother of the children) Ruth, with whom he has remained lifelong friends and his two feline buddies Tabby and Shadow.

In accordance with Al’s wishes, cremation is to take place with a private burial in Rose Hill Cemetery in Berrien Springs, Michigan.

A memorial celebration of Al’s life will be at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 7, at the Elkhart Campground Recreation Hall, 25608 C.R. 4E, Elkhart.

Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart has been assisting the family with arrangements.

Al worked more than 20 years for Miles Laboratories and Bayer as product scientist and chemist.

Some of his work was published in scientific periodicals and he had received many achievement certifications and accolades for his work and research.

He was also a staunch family man, and cherished the times he had with his children and grandchildren.

Al was a very giving man and always a fierce friend; there was no going “half-way” with him, and “repayment” was not in his vocabulary.

Analytical and precise, Al had a formula for all aspects of life and loved to analyze and hypothesize just about everything.

A quintessential intellectual, Al will be best remembered savoring his pipe with lazy circles of sweet tobacco smoke circling his head while he pondered over a chess game or latest issue of Popular Science.

Memorial donations may be given to the “Here Kitty Kitty” cat rescue and adoption organization of Elkhart.

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