John Howard Nelson, 81, died surrounded by family after a short illness, at his home in Sister Bay, WI, on Jan. 29. John was born in Chicago on Dec. 5, 1925 and for almost 20 years was the owner of Nelson & Sholin, a painting and decorating firm in Glenview, IL. Upon retirement in 1984, John and his wife, June, relocated to a hobby farm in Ellison Bay, where for several years they operated a bed and breakfast under the name of The Nelson Farm. In 2004, John and June moved to Sister Bay. John served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and after the war attended the Illinois Institute of Technology before going to work for his father. Upon taking over Nelson & Sholin, John built the business into one of the premier decorating firms in the country, his work culminating in the late 1970’s in the acclaimed recreation of the old Chicago Stock Exchange at the Art Institute of Chicago. After moving to Ellison Bay, John devoted much of his time to raising geese, chickens and grandchildren. He also served as the president of the Ellison Bay Men’s Club and was a past president of the council at Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church. Survivors include his beloved wife, June; his children, John, Donna and Jim; grandchildren, Britta, Kjersti and Nick Nelson, Matt, Jean and Emma Dahl and Ethan and Nathaniel Nelson. A celebration of John’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 2 at Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church in Ellison Bay, WI. Memorials to Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be offered at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com
