Ronald L. Nelson

Ron was raised on their farm in Flat Rock along with his six sisters and two brothers. He attended St. Josephs but wasn’t able to graduate due to the fact that he had to work the family farm because of his father’s illness. He always said he would graduate before his oldest son Terry and he did go to night school and graduated in 1973 one year before Terry.

He married the love of his life, and number one traveling partner Lois on June 18, 1955 at All Saints Church. He started working at Mead Paper as a millwright and retired in 1998. Ron had many talents and used those to build his first house in Flat Rock on Sharkey “Diaper” Road where they lived for 20 years The family also had many happy happy years at the cottage Ron and his boys built from the ground up in Maywood Shores. Ron and Lois loved traveling to their boys sporting events and spending time at the cottage but their biggest travels were their winters getaways to Las Vegas.

Ron was very service oriented and served on the boards at Flat Rock Elementary School, Gladstone Public Schools, Escanaba Township, and Mead Credit Union board. He was also a member of the Gladstone Yacht Club for over 50 years and made many lifelong friends. The family was very active at the Holy Family Church and then All Saints. The memorial funds from his wife’s passing were used to help install the elevator at All Saints church. Ron was also an avid Green Bay Packer fan and especially loved rooting for, “That’s my boy,” Jordy Nelson.

Ron is survived by his children, Terry (Laure Stropich) Gladstone, Tony, Traverse City, Todd (Mary Ann) Gladstone, Troy (Lisa) Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Chad, Jennifer (Jason) Pepin, Jacob, Kali (Ian), Adam (Elizabeth), and Greg (Trevor) Nykamp, and great-grandchildren, Osten Roberts and Ellie Pepin; sisters, Mona Gardner, Bonnie (Rodger) Pepin, Jan (Victor) Perugini, June (Tom) Kraus; brother, Danny (Cindy) and brother-in-law Gary (Judy) Koy, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois, his parents and siblings, Judy Koy, Otella (Francis) Pilon, and brother Gerald (Lorraine), brothers-in-law Bill Garner, Victor (Betty) Karnitz and grandson Josh Nelson.

The family would like to thank all the wonderful people from UP Healthcare Hospice and with a special thanks to Jill for her kindness and caring of Dad, and everyone who helped with meals for Dad. Lieu of flowers, contributions in Ron’s name can be directed to All Saints, or the Beacon House. A funeral mass is scheduled for Wednesday, December 7, at 1 p.m. at the All Saints Catholic Church in Gladstone with Rev. Fr. Brandon Yanni officiating. A luncheon will follow in the parish hall. Everyone will gather at the Gladstone Yacht Club following the luncheon to continue celebrating Ron’s life. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Nelson family. Please visit www.skradskifuneralhomes.com to offer an online message of sympathy to the family.