Submitted by: Dan Rich

 

Robert L. Nellans

Nov. 10, 1927 - March 29, 2008

 

South Bend Tribune 3/31/2008
MISHAWAKA - Robert L. Nellans, 80, of Mishawaka, passed away early Saturday morning, March 29, 2008, in Hospice House, South Bend. Bob was born November 10, 1927, in Mishawka, a son of the late Oren and Sarah (Ford) Nellans. He grew up in Mishawaka and graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1945. Bob served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II from January 1946 to March 1947.

 

On October 4, 1947, he married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie Eberhardt, and the couple made Mishawaka their home. Bob retired in 1983 after 33 years at Dodge Reliance and many of those years he was a manufacturing supervisor. He later worked at Deck Manufacturing in Granger. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Eagles #2083, Club 15, Dodge Manufacturing Club, Quarter Century Club and the Dodge Athletic Association. Bob was an avid golfer, bowler and fisherman. He was able to fix anything and referred to himself as "a jack-of-all-trades and master of none." For 55 years Bob and Marge spent their summers at their lake cottage at Lake of the Woods in Bremen. After retirement, Bob and Marge were able to spend one winter in Arizona and three winters in Florida.

 

Bob's surviving family includes his wife of 60 years, Margie Nellans of Waterford Estates, Mishawaka; two sons, Kenneth (Linda) Nellans of South Bend and David (Peggy) Nellans of Mishawaka; and four grandchildren, Nathan Nellans, Kelly (fiancé, Mitchell Molenda) Nellans, Nancy Nellans and Gail Nellans; and many loving nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by a son, John, who was tragically killed in 1989 while working for the Mishawaka Street Department; a brother, Harold Nellans; and by two sisters, Virginia Edmondson and Thelma Pierson.

 

Friends may spend time with Bob's family today (Monday) from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. in Thallemer, Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 W. Third Street, Mishawaka, where the Rosary will be prayed at 3:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 225 S. Mill Street, Mishawaka, with Rev. Terry Fisher officiating. Burial will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola. Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice. Bob's family would like to give a special thanks to his doctors, the staff at Nephrology Inc., Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend, and to Hospice House.