John Leland Nelson Jr.

John Leland Nelson, Jr., 92, of Salem, passed away Tuesday, May 10, 2016. He was born on July 29, 1923 to the late John Leland Nelson, Sr. and Edna Burns Nelson, and raised in Charlestown, NH. He was a World War II veteran of the Army Air Corps and later graduated from the University of New Hampshire. He worked for Bird & Son Inc. for over 40 years, while residing in Mechanicsville and Salem, VA. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his brother, Homer Nelson; and beloved daughter, Margo Swortzel. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lois Chase Nelson; children, Donna (John) Hufnagel, Cheryl Nichols, John Nelson III (Rhonda), and Chris Nelson (Rita); sister, Mary Nelson; eleven grandchildren, Joe (Pam), Brian (Deanna), Justin (Page), and Andrea (Toby Estes) Swortzel, Jeremy Nichols, Molly (Darin) Boothe, Sarah (Dan Shinault) and Jeremy Nelson, Kevin Nelson and Jessie Quesenberry, and John Lee Nelson, IV; and fifteen great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends on Friday, May 13, 2016 from 6 until 8 p.m. at John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem. A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m, Saturday, May 14, 2016 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Salem. Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com. The Nelson family is being served by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, 540-389-5441.First Visitation

Friday, May 13th, 2016 6:00pm - 8:00pm,

John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home

305 Roanoke Boulevard Salem, Virginia 24153

Service Information

Saturday, May 14th, 2016 11:00am,

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church

314 Turner Road Salem, Virginia 24153