Obit: Nelson, Verlyn A. (1945 – 2009) 

Contact: Dolores

Surnames: Nelson, Hannon, Chapman, Morris, Strande, Geiger, Rumpel, Heath

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) June 3, 2009

Nelson, Verlyn A. (7 May 1945 – 31 May 2009) With Flag

Verlyn A. Nelson, 64, of Green Valley, AZ, formerly of Black River Falls, passed away Sunday, May 31, 2009.

A complete obituary will follow.

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) June 17, 2009

Verlyn A. Nelson, 64, of Green Valley, AZ, formerly of Black River Falls, passed away May 31, 2009, in Portland, OR at the VA Medical Center.

Verlyn was born May 7, 1945, in Black River Falls to parents Arthur and Martha (Hannon) Nelson.  He graduated from St. Joseph’s Catholic School in 1959 and Black River Falls High School in 1963.  In 1967 he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, earning a bachelor’s degree in business.

Verlyn was united in marriage to Diane Chapman June 10, 1967, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Black River Falls.

In March 1968 he was drafted into the U. S. Army.  He was wounded in action and discharged December 1969 and received the Purple Heart for his military service.

After his military discharge, he was employed as an office manager with John Hancock Insurance Company in Milwaukee, Ohio and Chicago, IL, from 1967 through 1976 and as a loan officer at the Jackson County Bank in Black River Falls from 1976 to 1980 until his health forced his retirement.

After leaving employment with the Jackson County Bank, the couple moved to Payson, AZ, Flagstaff, AZ, Tucson, AZ, and finally Green Valley, AZ, where he could be closer to a VA medical facility.

Verlyn enjoyed gardening, traveling, his grandchildren and helping others.  He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.  He also served as president of Little League in Payson, AZ, from 1983 to 1986 and block captain of the Desert Hill II community in Green Valley, AZ, and was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley, AZ, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) VFW and the Vietnam Vets of America.

He is survived by his wife, Diane of Green Valley, AZ; son, Michael (special friend Rachelle) of Las Vegas, NV, “adopted” son, Dustin (Anna) Morris of Tucson, AZ, and their children, Tanner, Alix, Austin, Emma and Maggie; ex-daughter-in-law, Shelly Nelson and her children, Matt and Mia of Las Vegas, NV; brothers and sisters, Larry (Nancy) Nelson of Atlanta, GA, Mary (Bob) Strande of Palatine, IL, Julie (Ron) Geiger of Janesville and Chris of Wisconsin; mother-in-law, Blance Chapman of Alma Center; sister-in-law, Nancy (Bill) Rumpel, Germany; brothers-in-law, Dennis Chapman of Alma Center, Dean (Isabel) Chapman of Monterey, Mexico, and Brian (Debbie) of Jim Falls; transplant donor, Jim Heath, and his wife, Charlotte, of Sun City, AZ (transplant occurred July 24, 2003); and many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.

Verlyn was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law, Walter Chapman.

A memorial service will be held Sept. 12, 2009, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley, AZ.

Condolences may be sent to dianenver@cox.net.

The family prefers memorials be directed to the Robert Dexter VA Transplant Lodging Unit, P3 Transplant, P.O. Box 1034, Portland, OR 97239.