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.