Robert "Butch" Nelson,

Bluefield, WV- Robert E. "Butch" Nelson, Sr., 63, of 1913 Cherrywood Lane, passed away Tuesday September 1, 2009 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Born April 25, 1946 in Bastian, VA, he was a son of the late Earl F. Nelson and Thelma Ann Sarver Catron Nelson. He was of the Methodist faith. Mr. Nelson spent ten years in the Marine Corps and 20 years in the Army and Army Reserve where he served with the Military Police. He was a veteran of both Vietnam and Desert Shield/Desert Storm and has dedicated most of his life to the protection and freedom of our country and its citizens. He was an Automotive Technician at Richardson Motors, Ercoline Nissan and Cole Motor Group. He was an avid muzzleloader and competed in muzzle loading competitions. Mr. Nelson was a member of the Fort Witten Long Rifle Association and was an avid collector. He loved to fish with his grandson. He was always willing to help those who needed it and he was a very kind-hearted man. He loved his grandchildren and his cats. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers-in-law, Hubert A. Spencer and Richard Odell. Survivors include his wife, Janet Stamper Nelson of the home; two children, Robert E. Nelson, Jr. and his wife Robbi of Bluefield and Amy Michelle Nelson Gilpin of Green Valley; three siblings, John W. Catron and his wife Nell of Bastian, VA, Elsie L. Spencer of Bluefield, WV and Donald B. Nelson and his wife Carroll of Princeton; sisters-in-law, Janie Odell, Wanda Grimm and Barbara Neal and her companion Allen; six grandchildren, Erin Brooke Schelffler and her husband Joshua, Dustin Chase Blankenship, Matthew David Gilpin, Christopher Andrew Gilpin and Robert Nathaniel Haydan Nelson, and Andrew G. Simon; one great-grandson, Caiden Cox; one great -granddaughter, Kayden Grace Schelffler, numerous nieces and nephews and his loving cat Sadi. The family will receive friends at Mercer Funeral Home on Thursday evening, September 3, 2009 from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. Funeral service will be conducted on Friday September 4, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. from the Mercer Funeral Home Chapel with Bishop Roger H. Lafferty, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton where the Marine Corps will provide military graveside rites. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions, if desired be made to the Mercer County Humane Society, P.O. Box 6069, Bluefield, WV 24701. Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages may do so by visiting www.mercerfuneralhome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Robert E. "Butch" Nelson.

Robert "Butch" Nelson,

April 25, 1946 - September 1, 2009