Elmer Carl Nelson

June 6, 1920-Jan. 5, 2012

Elmer passed away quietly on January 5, 2012 at the age of 91. Elmer was born in Merced, CA on June 6, 1920.

He attended Merced Colony Grammer School and Merced Union High School. He farmed with his father and they also did cultivating and orchard spraying for other farmers.

Elmer married Marjorie McCoy in 1941. He joined the Armed Forces in 1942 where he was assigned to the 2nd Armored Division. From there he went to North Africa, then to the Invasion of Sicily in 1943, then on to England for the Invasion of France at Omaha Beach in 1944, and then to Belgium, Holland, and Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1945.

After being discharged, he came back to the valley and farmed for 6 years before opening a welding and machine shop, which he owned and operated for 7 years. Elmer also enjoyed auto racing, he owned a few cars that he built and had Roy Fairbank drive for him.

Elmer went to work for Filice & Perelli which later became California Canners and Growers. He was the superintendent of the Merced Growers Plant where he retired after 24 years.

After retiring Elmer repaired and handmade parts for antique gas engines. He enjoyed making and building scale model one and four cylinder engines from scratch. Elmer loved to travel and fish. He was a member of the Merced Elks Lodge, #1240 B.P.O.E.

Elmer is preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Marjorie Nelson; sister, Elsie Goodrich; and constant companion of over 20 years, Wilma Plant.

He was survived by his nephew, David Jones of Florida and brother and sister-in-law, Grover C. and Evelyn McCoy.

Graveside services will be held at the Merced District Cemetery, Friday, January 27, 2012 at 1:00P.M.

Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.