John W. Nelson, Jr.

John W. Nelson, Jr., age 89, of Versailles, died unexpectedly Monday, April 6, 2009, at St. Marys Health Center in Jefferson City.
He was born May 22, 1919, in Lebanon, a son of John W. Sr., and Cora B. Reynolds Nelson, both deceased. On January 21, 1943, in Bremerton, Washington, John married Virginia L. Combs. Virginia preceded him in death January 28, 1997. On September 1, 1998, at the Versailles United Methodist Church, John married Sylvia M. Fuhrman and she survives at their home.
He was a graduate of Central Methodist College in Fayette and the University of Missouri in Columbia. John was a Navy veteran, serving his country during World War II. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant, and served from 1942 until 1959, ending his enlistment in the Naval Reserves.
He had been a high school teacher and bus driver at Versailles, before retiring as Principal at the Versailles High School. He later became Postmaster of the United States Post Office in Versailles, retiring in 1985.
John was a tremendous supporter of the many community events in Versailles. He was a member of the American Legion Post 104 in Versailles, participating in the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the cemetery for many years. He was a member of the Versailles Lions Club, traveling worldwide representing his local organization as well as Lions Club International. As a member of the Lions Club he was active in the annual Morgan County Fair, and was in charge of announcing the prizes for many of the projects entered in the fair contests. He also became involved in the Versailles Apple Festival, announcing many of the winners in the contests held at the festival. He was a faithful member of the Versailles United Methodist Church, at one time serving as church treasurer and singing in the church choir.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Gloria Sensenig of Versailles; three stepsons, John Sensenig and wife Dana of Barnett; Larry Sensenig and wife Erin and Scott Sensenig all of Versailles; one brother, Joseph F. Nelson of Mokane; his mother-in-law, Betty Fuhrman of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania; two sisters-in-law, Elizabeth and Dorothy Nelson, six grandchildren, Edward, Amber, Jayden, Holly, Makayla, and Kiara, his four legged "grandchildren", Harley and Hershey, also nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. John was also preceded in death by two brothers, Paul W. and James C. Nelson.
Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday, April 11, at the Versailles United Methodist Church with Rev. Robert Ross officiating. Burial, with military funeral honors, will be in the West Lawn Addition of the Versailles Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4:00-6:00 P.M. Friday, April 10, at the Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home in Versailles. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Versailles United Methodist Church or the American Diabetes Association.