Donald Byron "Don" Nelson (1912-1976)

1937

Pvt. Don Nelson Writes

In a letter to the Carl Mahlers this week, Pvt. Don Nelson writes that he is still in a Louisiana camp where he is taking his basic training. Don says army life is very agreeable and that he is feeling fine.

Pvt. Donald Nelson arrived here from his station at New Orleans, La. last Saturday on a 15-day furlough with home folks. Don is looking fine and says he likes army life.

PVT. DONALD NELSON AND MISS ROMA CHILDERS MARRIED

Pvt. Donald Nelson, son of Mrs. Florence Cupitt, of Vancouver, Washington, and Miss Roma Childers, were united in marriage by the Rev T. H. Adkins at Crown Point last Friday evening, April 9th.

The bride, a graduate of Lowell high school, is employed at the present time in a defense plant in Gary. The groom, who made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Carl Mahler for a number of years, is stationed with his unit at a camp near New Orleans, La., and will return to camp today. His wife will remain here and continue with her work.

On Sunday a wedding dinner party in honor of the newlyweds was given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Mahler. Attending were: Mr. and Mrs. Harry Bastaer and family of Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Shalapik, Gary, and the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Childers of Lowell, and a sister of the groom, Mrs. Fred Carlson and family were present.

Pfc. Donald B. Nelson returned to Camp Young, Los Angeles, Calif., after a 14-day furlough. While home Mr. and Mrs. Nelson visited many friends and relatives in Lowell, Crown Point, Gary, and Chicago. Mrs. Nelson took a ten-day leave of absence while her husband was home.

The Carl Mahlers received word Tuesday, the first letter in six weeks, from Pfc. Donald Nelson, that he had arrived safely in Ireland where he is stationed with an engineer corps. Don writes that the countryside and homes there are much more beautiful than he had ever expected. He is getting along fine but said he could do better with a larger allotment of eggs and candy. Where he is located at present, the boys get one bar of candy and only one egg a month.

The following letter was received by the Carl Mahlers from Pfc. Donald Nelson, now stationed somewhere in France:

Hello Lottie, Carl, and All:

Got your letter a few days ago, but have been just too busy to answer. Boy, do I like to hear from you -- you certainly write lots of news.

Lottie, you said you were going to send me some newspapers. Will you please send me the Chicago Tribune of July 29th if you can get it? It has a writeup about our company at a town call Lessay. The fellows would like to see what they had to say.

I am writing this letter a few lines at a time.

After being in five countries and thirty-six states, I have never been to Paducka. I must try to go there sometime. Ha! Ha!

You would die laughing at us a few days ago. We all loaded in our trucks and drove to an inn. I can't tell you how far it was -- anyway we went swimming. Boy, did it remind me of when I was a kid at the old swimming hole. And we sure needed a bath!

The French people are really nice. Everytime we go out with the truck over a street or country road, they throw flowers at us. If we have to stop in a town … O - o - o la la! But I still wish I was home to help Carl pour concrete.

Well, I'd better close before this letter gets a week old.

As ever,
Don

A letter from Pfc. Donald Nelson received by the Carl Mahlers, says he is on his way home from the European war front. Don has served overseas the past two years.

Pfc. Donald Nelson received his discharge from service last week and arrived home Saturday. Don recently returned from two years in the European theatre.

COUPLE WED IN RITES AT DAYTON, OHIO

At 7:30 p.m. Saturday evening, May 26th, a wedding of interest to Lowell friends was performed at the Christian church in Dayton, Ohio. The bride will be remembered as Alberta Rowlings, graduate of Lowell high school, who with her parents formerly resided at Cedar Lake. The groom is Donald Nelson of Franklin, Ind., who has made his home with the Carl Mahlers for several years.

For her wedding costume the bride chose a grey suit with matching accessories complimented by an orchid corsage.

The bride's sister and brother-in-law served as matron of honor and best man.

Following the ceremony a reception was held at the home of the bride's parents in Dayton, Ohio. The newlyweds will reside at Sumava.

ROY-NELSON NUPTUALS READ MONDAY

In a quiet ceremony read at Crown Point Monday, March 15, Mrs. Dorothy Roy became the bride of Donald Nelson. The couple are residing on Washington street. Mrs. Nelson will continue her work as clerk at the Gullstrom Drug Store. Mr. Nelson is employed in Chicago.

The following excerpts come from an essay written by Karleen Joy Karlsson Halaschak, neice of Donald B. Nelson:

Bernice Caroline Nelson . . . and her brother, Donald Byron Nelson, had resided at the Indiana Masonic Home since the death of their natural father, Carl Oscar Nelson (date of death: Nov 5, 1921). . . .

On July 1, 1928, Bernice arrived in Lowell, IN, to take up residence with Carl E. Mahler and his wife, Charlotte E. (Hajic) Mahler, who lived at the intersection of Rt #2 and what was called Joe Martin Rd. In 1929 her brother Donald arrived to live with them and work for Carl Mahler's house moving business. They shared the Mahlers' loving and caring way of life for the next 23 years until the death of Charlotte in 1951. . . .

Donald Byron Nelson learned how to lift beams and level barns as he worked for Carl Mahler in his house moving business. Don's building training came in handy as a member of the Army's Corps of Engineers in Patton's Third Army during WWII. He was a member of the American Legion Post 101 and volunteered during the Lowell Labor Day events for many years.

His outgoing ways and sense of humor gained him the name "Unk De Bunk" -- he could always find a way to make you laugh or come to your aid when you needed a friend. Donald was married to Dorothy Carter Roy Nelson. Although he never had children of his own, he shared in the joy of Dorothy's children and grandchildren. His life with Dorothy and her family was a continuation of the value of Family that he had shared so many years before at the Mahler house.

Donald B. Nelson, age 64, of 147 Washington St., Lowell, passed away Monday, Feb. 23. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; two sisters, Mrs. Bernice Karlson [Karlsson], Lowell, and Mrs. Ruth Dorgan, Seattle, Wash.; one son, Cleo Roy of Lowell; two daughters, Mrs. Robert (Ethel) Hayden, Lowell, and Mrs. Robert (Kay) Reed, Lowell; eleven grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.

Mr. Nelson was a retired employee of the American Can Co., member of Lowell V.F.W. Post 5841, and a member of Lowell American Legion Post 101.

The funeral will be Thursday, Feb. 26, at Sheets Funeral Home, with Rev. Don Wilson officiating. Interment will take place at the Lowell Cemetery.