C. Nelson Havill, 88, Princeton IN, passed away on Friday March 14, 2008 at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville.

Before retiring in 1985, Nelson served Potter & Brumfield & AMF Intl. for 30 years as VP of Marketing and VP of Intl. Strategic Planning. He led international efforts to expand the company in Milano IT, Oxford ENG (where he lived with his family for four years), and China. Known in the industry as the "grand old man" of relay marketing, he was president of a national association of relay manufacturers. 

Nelson served in the Army during WWII, commanding a tank platoon in combat and was battalion executive officer, 709th Tank Battalion. He retired in 1965 as Major in the Army Reserves. 

He was active in 1st Presbyterian Church as deacon, elder, session member, teacher, and choir member for over 50 years and was consultant to other churches in the presbytery. 

He graduated with high honors in electrical engineering from Rose Hulman in 1949, was a member of Tau Beta Pi honorary engineering society, and received Honor Alumnus recognition in 1999 for his dedicated support of the school. He was an avid gardener, bird watcher, and world traveler. 

Nelson was born March 24, 1919 in Selvin, Indiana to W. Frank & Mabel (Thyng) Havill, both deceased. Also preceding him in death were his three sisters, Elaine, Jackie and Jean. 

Nelson is survived by his wife of almost 64 years, Helen (Kairns) Havill of Princeton; 3 children, Karen Elizabeth (Havill) Bingham of Murfreesboro, TN, Debra Lynn Havill of Markleville IN and Thomas Nelson Havill of Indianapolis; 1 brother, Bud Havill of Avon, IN; 2 cousins Daniel Thyng and Nancy Bethel; and many nieces and nephews. 

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday March 18, 2007 at the 1st Presbyterian Church in Princeton with the Rev. David Brookman officiating. Burial will be at the Columbia White Church Cemetery in Princeton.

Friends may visit from 4 until 8 PM on Monday at the Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton.