Hal B. Nelson

Hal B. Nelson, 87, formerly of Leach Rd., Conneaut Lake and a current resident of Rolling Fields, Conneautville, died there Monday, December 22, 2008.

He was born April 7, 1921 in Westfield Township, Surry County, NC, a son of the late Charles A. and Margaret J. Brinkley Nelson.  He married Vina M. (Dixie) Cain November 12, 1938 and she preceded him in death September 23, 2002.

He was a Veteran of World War II first with the Army and subsequently with the Army Air Corps.  He attended Penn State University taking course work in agriculture and also attended Franklin and Marshall College taking course work in management.

He first worked as a gardener at the home of former President James Monroe in Aldie, VA and then worked for many years for the B.F. Barr & Son Nursery in Lancaster, PA.  He subsequently managed four cemeteries in Lancaster County for 11 years and then moved to Pittsburgh and was assistant superintendent at Allegheny Cemetery for 11 years.  He retired in 1996 as manager of the Mount Vernon Cemetery in McKeesport, PA following 17 years of service.

He attended Trinity United Methodist Church, Conneaut Lake.  He was a member of the National Honor Guard at Arlington National Cemetery and was a life member of the Mountville, PA Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8757 and the Conneaut Lake Park Volunteer Fire Dept.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, dancing, and traveling.

Survivors include a son-in-law, Roy W.E. Whaley and his wife Carol of Conneaut Lake; two grandchildren, Tonya R. Whaley of Boulder, CO and Shane N.R. Whaley and his wife Stephanie of McDonough, GA; and two great-grandchildren, Brianna and Kaiden Whaley.  In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Latonie Ayodaner Whaley; a half-brother, Adrian Nelson; and a half-sister, Vahn.

Calling hours will be Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Waid-Coleman Funeral Home, 12422 Conneaut Lake Rd., Conneaut Lake.

A funeral service will be Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. William Green, Pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church officiating.

Interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery with military honors provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2006, Meadville.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made in Hal’s memory to Rolling Fields, 9108 State Hwy 198, Conneautville, PA 16406.