Richard Leigh Nelson, 73, The Villages, FL, passed from this life Monday, February 15, 2016. Born in Hutchinson, KS, he was the son of the late Luther and Beulah (Birket) Nelson. Richard served his country in the U. S. Navy for eight and a half years. A Vietnam Veteran he served aboard the USS Bennington, the USS Midway and the Island of Guam.
Following military service he was a stationary engineer for the Merck Co. of PA for 27 years, retiring in 2001.
He and his wife Judith moved to The Villages from Perkasie, PA in 2003. He was a communicant of St. Mark the Evangelist Church, Summerfield and volunteered at the St. Theresa’s Church Soup Kitchen and Thrift Store, Belleview. Richard enjoyed hunting, camping and reading.
He leaves his wife of 52 years, Judith Ann (Brugger) Nelson, daughter, Susan Peifer and son, Michael B. Nelson both of PA; three grandchildren, Dianna Lafferty (Michael); Natasha Nelson and Jonathan O’Hearn all of PA; and five great grandchildren, Michael, Jacob, Ethan, Isabelle Lafferty and Olivia Rosado all of PA; brothers, Donald L. Nelson, KS; Luther E. Nelson, TX; sister, Sharen Nelson, KS and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive relatives and friends at a visitation to be held at the Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, 1511 Buenos Aires Blvd., The Villages on Thursday, February 18, 2016 from 3 to 5 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 19, 2016 at St. Mark the Evangelist Church, Summerfield at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to either St.Theresa’s Soup Kitchen and Thrift Store, Belleview, FL.
