NEWARK — Ivan Morton Nelson, 87, of Newark, died Saturday Nov. 7, 2009, in Sandwich, Ill.

He was born Feb. 14, 1922, in Sandwich, to the late Frederick Lawrence and Melda J. (Burgess) Nelson.

Ivan was raised in rural Newark, attended the Newark school system and was Baptized and confirmed in the Newark Lutheran Church.

Ivan assisted his father with the family farm and started a trucking business before being drafted in World War II. He was inducted into the United States Army on Nov. 11, 1942. His basic training was at Camp Blanding, Fla., after which he was assigned to the 247th Field Artillery, 30th Division, as a truck driver and promoted to the rank of Corporal. He also served overseas in England during the invasion of Europe at Omaha Beach, serving with his division throughout the invasion and liberation until they reached Germany and the World War II ended. He arrived home from the service on the Queen Mary at which time, Ivan kissed the ground and announced that he would never leave the United States again.

In 1942, Ivan married Nellie Carlson and continued establishing his trucking business, which he closed in 1959.
 
Ivan married Rosalie Myers Nov. 8, 1952 in Morris. Together, they established Nelson Wrecking Yard, operating until his illness six years ago. Their wrecking yard was featured in a documentary filmed by the British Broadcasting Corporation.

In 1968, Ivan was hired by Big Grove Township as a maintenance worker. In 1969, he started working for the Illinois Department of Transportation until his retirement in 1988.
 
Ivan enjoyed being outdoors gardening, entertaining many friends and was a long-standing member of the Newark American Legion Post 459.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Rosalie (Myers) Nelson; one son Fred L. Nelson of Newark; two daughters, Nancy (William) Bercot of Pace, Fla., and Phyllis (Richard) Johnson of Newark; a grandson, John Bercot of Pace, Fla.; a granddaughter, Angela (Mickey) Dees of Pace, Fla., three step-grandsons, Travis Johnson of Rockford, Casey Johnson of Seneca, S.C. and Kristopher Johnson of Rockford; two great-grandsons, Nicholas Dees and Wills Bercot of Pace; a great-granddaughter, Olivia Dees of Pace; several nieces, nephews, cousins; a sister-in-law, Lenore Sanford of Plano; and brother-in-law, Joe (Carol) Myers, of Morris.
 
Ivan was preceded in death by his brother, Lawrence Nelson.
 
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at Gabel-Dunn Funeral Home, Ltd., in Newark.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, with Rev. Sampson officiating at Gabel-Dunn Funeral Home, Ltd., 102 S. Johnson St., Newark.

Burial will take place at the Millington-Newark Cemetery with military honors.