Samuel T. Nelson

Samuel (Sam) T. Nelson, 87 of rural Aledo, passed away Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at Trinity, Rock Island. Funeral services will be Saturday at 11:00 AM at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo. Burial will be in Hamlet Cemetery. Visitation is Friday from 4 to 8 PM at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Hamlet Cemetery or Buffalo Prairie Presbyterian Church. Son of Lytle Nelson and Frances (Fuhr) Nelson, Sam was born April 22, 1929 in the house where he lived all his life. He married Geneva Johnson of Edgington, Illinois on April 10, 1955. Sam farmed his whole life, first with his father and then with his son, Dennis. On July 4, 1940 he helped his father open Lake Nelson, a man-made lake for fishing, swimming, and boating. The property included a roller skating rink, an outdoor movie screen, a track for car races, and a baseball diamond in the middle of the track. The popular recreation complex closed in 1952 when Sam entered the U.S. Navy. He was a member of the Buffalo Prairie Presbyterian Church and the Buffalo Prairie Masonic Lodge. He served on the Mercer County Board and was a Duncan Township Trustee. Sam also served on the Board of Directors of the National Bank of Aledo, the Buffalo prairie State Bank and Hamlet Mutual Insurance. Sam is survived by his wife, Geneva; his children: Dennis (Cindy) Nelson of Joy; Laura (Ed) Rivas of Naperville, IL; Kathy (Steve) Shirley of Frisco, TX; Samuel T. Nelson III of Naperville, IL; Grandchildren: Alex Rivas, Burbank, CA; Barbara Rivas, Naperville and special friend, Sheridan Hank. Sam was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Drucilla and a son Bryan.