James "Jim" O. Nelson, age 90, a resident of Bridgeway of Bensenville, went to be with the Lord on Monday, July 11, peacefully at home. He was born November 7, 1925 in Oak Park to Chester and Elvira Nelson.

Jim graduated from Austin High School and was active in Austin Trinity Methodist Church, where he was involved in music, authored articles for the church periodical and played basketball. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He served in the Pacific Theater from 1944 until 1946 on a LST where he survived a kamikaze attack. After his service, he met Dorothy Rabito in 1948 through Dorothy's friendship with his sister, Dolores Criley, while they worked together at Youth For Christ. They were married on May 6, 1950 and moved to Itasca. They were charter members of the Itasca Evangelical Free Church where Jim served as Choir Director, Song Leader, and Sunday School Superintendent. Later, he served as Choir Director for several other churches. He was a talented musician and provided special music as a soloist and played the violin.

He worked for the majority of his career at Steven's Pump Company, where he never missed a day until his retirement at age 78.

Jim had the ability to fix anything, he was a master craftsman who built and repaired anything. He even built his own boat. Washington Island was his home away from home and his "paradise, north of the tension-line." His island home became a legacy for his children, grandchildren, Christian groups and many others. When on the Island, he served as Music Director and provided special music at Bethel Evangelical Free Church. Although he grew up in the city, he was a country boy at heart, even owning and boarding horses in Itasca. He enjoyed his garden and maintaining his yard. His family will remember him singing and playing the violin at home. He especially loved Christmas, and playing Santa Claus for the family.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; two children, Sheryl "Sherrie" (Brent) Amato of Bloomingdale and Daniel (Dawn) Nelson of Kiel, Wisconsin; six grandchildren, Jason (Kristy) Amato, Kristin (Adam) Asher, Courtney (Dylan) Villarreal, Brittany (Tyler) Ball, Hunter Nelson and Rachel Nelson; five great-grandchildren, David, Blaze, Lincoln, Skylar and Maverick; and his sister, Dolores Criley. He is also survived by his loving caregivers, Kelvin Eduno and Tanya Kushnarova.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 5, at 7:00 p.m. at Medinah Baptist Church , 900 Foster Ave, Medinah, IL 60157. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 p.m. until the start of the service at 7:00 p.m. Interment will be held privately at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Bethel Evangelical Free Church , 1821 Main Road, Washington Island, WI 54246.