Mike Nelson

Carbondale - Michael "Mike" Nelson - 67, Monday, January 20, 2025, died at home in his sleep.

He leaves a wife of 40 years, Tammy (Sweet) Nelson and his son Jerrod Nelson. his sister Pam and her husband Alan Graff; his brother Lonnie Jr and his wife Gracie Nelson: his sister Marcie and her husband Kent Buckles; his closest cousin Terry Nelson and his wife Cindy; and his best friend Eddie Mixon and his wife Mary; many family members and friends.

He is predeceased by his mom Jeanine Nelson-68 (2005), daughter Kelly Nelson-28 (2006), dad Lonnie Nelson Sr - 72 (2009) and his daughter Ashley (Nelson) Beck- 31 (2017).

Born in Murphysboro to Lonnie Sr and Jeanine (Cavaness) Nelson. Mike, his parents and his younger brother and sisters were very fortunate to travel the United States due to his dad Lonnie Sr serving in the United States Air Force. When the family came back to live in Murphysboro to be close to both Nelson and Cavaness families and catch up with birthdays, holidays, weddings and many fun filled family gatherings. Mike met his future wife Tammy, his waitress, at Sirloin Stockade Restaurant. Mike and Tammy were married on June 9, 1984. 

Mike worked as a St Louis Animal Control officer, farm worker, furniture mover, apartment maintenance man until he landed a manufacturing job cutting steel for 18-wheeler tactor trailer flat beds as a Plasma Arc Technician/Shop Steward for Transcraft Corporation in Anna IL for 21 years until the plant closed. He then worked for Man-Tra-Con in Marion IL to help some of his former coworkers get other jobs. He was hired for a shot time at Penn Aluminum in Murphysboro IL but had to retire due to two lumbar back surgeries. He and his wife were very thankful he received SSI Disability until his passing.

Mike took advantage of beautiful Southern Illinois outdoors enjoying hunting, fishing, camping, mushroom hunting, playing slow pitch softball, coaching softball, baseball and football games for his youngest children Ashley and Jerrod. In the last year he and the former slow pitch softball teammates met every Monday for good home cooked lunches and playing cards. (also taking dog treats to Otis the host's large American Staffordshire Terrier)

Most of all he enjoyed visiting his oldest daughter Kelly in St Louis area at her home playing and training the foster dogs she would bring home from the veterinary hospital where she worked as a veterinary technician. He also got to do ride-a-longs with his younger daughter Ashley in her Energy IL police squad car. Through the years teaching his son, Jerrod to repair anything with a switch, dial, pipe, pull cord, motor or engine until the day Jerrod started teaching Mike more modern ways of repairing. That was a proud day. Mike loved and was very proud of all three of his children. Mike was also an uncle to many nephews and nieces, great nephews and great nieces in which he also loved and was proud.

In lieu of flowers you may make donations to St Francis Care Animal Shelter in Murphysboro IL.

A grave side memorial will be Saturday February 22, 2025, at 1:00pm in NW corner by the big rock marker of Oakland Cemetery - Carbondale. 

Mike will be dearly missed.