Lester Harvey Nelson Jr. Obituary (1937

Lester Harvey Nelson, Jr., age 88, of Pontiac, IL, passed away peacefully with members of his loving family by his side on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 11:40 p.m. at Goldwater care of Pontiac, IL. A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Calvert and Martin Funeral Home, located at 413 N. Main Street, Pontiac, IL, 61764. A public visitation will be held the same day, starting at 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Camp Cemetery in Esmen Township. Pastor Kurt Mews will be leading his services. A fellowship gathering will take place at the Elk’s Club in Pontiac following the services. Calvert and Martin Funeral Home, Pontiac, is entrusted with the arrangements. Lester was born on April 7, 1937, in Pekin, IL, to Lester H. Nelson, Sr. and Mary (Mace) Nelson. He married the love of his life, Helen Marie (Dickens) Nelson on November 7, 1958, in Las Cruces, NM. They were married for 67 years. She survives in Pontiac. Other survivors include their children: Lester (Pamela) Nelson, III of Morton, IL; Bryan Nelson of Pontiac, IL, Aaron (Tami) Nelson of Scottsdale, AZ; grandchildren: Matthew (Krystle) Nelson, Rachel (Taylor) Huette, Corrinne (Brad) Wilson, Dr. Clinton Nelson, Carrie (JR) Kester, Laura (Billy) Sweet, Seth (Chelsea) Connor, Megan (Derek) Jones, Katie Nulliner, Hayden Nulliner; as well as 19 great grandchildren and his beloved dog Tarya. He is also survived by three nephews: Michael Dickens, Louie Nelson, and Joe Nelson; and two nieces: Robin Primm and Jennifer Heflin and a special family member Stephanie Arnold. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother: Roland L. Nelson, and one daughter: Viki Marie Nelson. Lester was of the Christian faith. He graduated from Joliet Township High School. Lester retired from Caterpillar at the age of 50. After retirement from Caterpillar, he kept busy as the Pontiac Township Tax Assessor for many years, drove a school bus for the Graymont Grade School, and was an Auxiliary Deputy with the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department. Lester was a proud and active member of the Shriners, Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Pontiac Elk’s Lodge, Moose Lodge, and was a past member of the Pontiac Sportsman’s Club. He was also a founding member of the Red Fez Shrine Club in Pontiac. Lester enjoyed his family, camping, and spending winters in Arizona. He loved to tell stories to everyone that would listen. He was the Drum Major with the Medinah Highlanders Bagpipe Band for many years. He was also a member of the Mohammed Shrine Bagpipe Band. During the early years of his life, he was involved in Drum Corp, and was a nationally recognized fire baton twirler winning many trophies. He was loved as a husband, dad, grandpa, and uncle. He will truly be missed by all of those who knew and loved him. Memorials in Lester’s memory may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children, Elk’s Children’s Care, or to the Pontiac Fire Department. The family would like to thank the Pontiac Fire Department and the staff at Goldwater Care in Pontiac for the loving care they provided him. This obituary may be viewed and a guestbook signed at www.calvertmemorial.com or visit us on Facebook.