Melvin L. Nelson

Melvin Nelson, age 81, of Savanna, Illinois, died Thursday, January 26, 2012, at Mercy Medical Center North, Clinton, Iowa. Cremation rites will be accorded. A memorial gathering will be held from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 31, 2012, at the Law – Jones Funeral Home in Savanna, with a Commemoration Service at 2:00 p.m.
Melvin was born May 16, 1930, in Lamar, Colorado, the son of Melvin C. and Esther (Best) Nelson. He graduated from BCHS High School with the Class of 1948. Melvin worked many construction jobs before enlisting in the United States Army Airborne in February of 1949. He was assigned to the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team in 1951 and served in Korea and Japan. After his service to his country, Melvin was hired by the Department of Defense and began schooling and training for ammunition and explosives. His job took him to many destinations all over the world. While he was stationed in Korea from 1957 to 1962, he met and married Jae Sook Yoo in 1958. She preceded him in death in 2004. Melvin retired from the Department of Defense in 1986 and took up Real Estate.
Melvin enjoyed hunting and fishing. Through is job travels, he was able to hunt pheasant in Korea; wild boar and pheasant hunting in France, Turkey and Iran; and deer and elk hunting in Arizona. He also enjoyed deep - sea fishing and trout fishing. While in Japan, he enjoyed scuba diving as well.
Melvin is survived by one son, Michael Nelson of Savanna, Illinois; one daughter, Sonja Hughes of Savanna; and one grandson, Jeffrie Hughes.