Gordon Floyd “Gordy” Nelson, 92, a lifelong resident of the Plymouth, Ind., community, passed away at 6 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014, at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center-Plymouth Campus.
Gordy was born Jan. 22, 1922, to Walter John and Stella May (Fletcher) Nelson in Plymouth. He graduated with the Plymouth High School Class of 1939. In 1953 he started working for the Indiana Motor Bus Company where he was first a ticket agent and then became the office manager for bookkeeping. He retired after 34 years of service in 1987.
He was a dedicated member for 62 years at the Plymouth Kilwinning Masonic Lodge No. 149, having served as a Past Master and then secretary many years and was nominated and elected to the high honor of the Order of Service to Masonry by Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in 2006. He was a former member of the South Bend Scottish Rite – Valley of St. Joe.
He was a lifetime member of the Trinity United Methodist Church where he was an usher for 70 years and a head usher for 5 years. He played Santa Claus for several families and organizations for 35 years. He was awarded Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Frank O’Bannon in 2002.
Gordon is survived by his sisters: Joan M. (Fred) Wolff, Rosemarie Campbell and Helen L. (Mick) Nelson; his sister-in-law: Darlene G. Brundige, all of Plymouth; his nephews: Phil (Patti) Nelson, Tim Nelson, Larry (Ammee) Girten, Bill (Donna) Girten, Bob Girten, Mike (Norvetta) Wolff, Craig (Jo Ellen) Campbell, Kevin Campbell, Kent (Lisa) Campbell and Steven (Terri) Nelson; and nieces: Chris (Don) Marohn, Rhonda (Bob) Arvesen, Dee (Jim) Brown, Lynn (Steven) Jacox, Anne Gantz, Pat Girten, Barb (Joe) Holcomb and Deb Stout; and 31 great-nieces and nephews and 39 great-great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother: Jim Nelson: his brothers and sisters-in-law: Wayne R. (Mildred I.) Nelson and Wendell E. (Treva) Nelson; his sister and brother-in-law: Mary R. (Harry) Girten; a niece: Jane Louise Girten; and his brother-in-law: Ernest W. Campbell.
Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. A Masonic Rite will be held that evening at 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home. Funeral services will be held in the Trinity United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, with Pastor Mark Need and Michael Burroughs officiating. Visitation will continue after 10 a.m. Saturday until the funeral service in the church. Burial will follow in the New Oakhill Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions can be made to the Masonic Lodge Scholarship Fund, 109 Water St., Plymouth, IN 46563; or Trinity United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 425 S. Michigan Street, Plymouth, IN 46563.