Bert L Nelson

Bert L. Nelson, 90, of Terre Haute passed away on December 22, 2020. He was born in Knox County, IN, to John L. Nelson and Ethel L. (Ice) Nelson. He attended Vincennes University and eventually earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in Education from Indiana State University. His undergraduate studies were put on hold during 1952 and 1953, while he served in the U.S. Army in Busan, South Korea as part of the 434th Engineer Construction Battalion, Company B. He was selected for and completed a ten-week specialized training program in Japan, which involved handling classified information. Upon returning to the United States, Bert finished college and began teaching at Warren Elementary School. He was quickly promoted to Principal in 1960. He remained at Warren until becoming the principal of the former Collett Elementary School. He became the principal of the new Ouabache Elementary School in 1979, providing leadership there, until his retirement in 1995. Bert was named Elementary School Principal of the Year (District level) in 1980 and 1995. In 2009, the Educational Heritage Association Inc. of Vigo County honored Bert with a Distinguished Educator Award, recognizing him as an “exemplary teacher, extraordinary principal, mentor, role model and a true gentleman.”

The people who knew Bert best can attest to his outstanding character in his personal life. He consistently exhibited love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. While embracing the paramount importance of God’s grace, Bert also believed that faith without works is dead. He taught a Sunday School class for 30 years at his former church. After transferring his church membership to World Gospel, Bert participated in the Global Outreach ministry committee. He served as a Kids Hope volunteer while his health permitted. Apart from church, Bert regularly donated his blood and was a poll worker on election days for many years. He helped people however he could--painting, packing, pouring concrete, mowing grass, mending fences, etc. He enjoyed growing vegetables and sharing the produce with friends and neighbors. His one complaint in the last few years was feeling “useless” because health problems forced him to stop these activities.

Sharing in Bert’s legacy is his beloved wife and help-mate of nearly sixty-five years, Sondra (Chezem) Nelson. Bert and Sondra were married on December 23, 1955. Surviving with Sondra are a son, David Nelson, of Ohio and a daughter, Beth (Enoch) Poon, of Florida and grandchildren Amy Poon of South Carolina and Justin Poon of Florida and Washington. Two nieces and four nephews also survive. Bert’s brothers and their spouses, Russell (Catherine), Boyde (Dorothy), and Wayne (Darlene), are deceased.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there will be a private service at Greiner Funeral Home with burial to follow at Roselawn Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will hopefully be held in 2021. The family wishes to thank Home Instead and Springhill Nursing Home for their kindness and care of their loved one. The family is especially grateful to everyone who acknowledged Bert’s birthday in June with heartfelt messages. For those who wish to honor Bert’s life, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Kids Hope USA or Global Outreach at World Gospel Church (900 Gardendale Rd., Terre Haute, IN 47803) or to Vigo County Education Foundation (686 Wabash Ave., P.O. Box 3703, Terre Haute, IN 47803). Online condolences may be made at www.greinerfuneralhome.com.

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