Nelson Edward Winters

Nelson Edward Winters, March 4, 1928 – December 16, 2021 Nelson was born and raised in Martin's Ferry (Ohio's 1st settlement) across the river from Wheeling, WV. on March 4, 1928. He was the oldest of 3 boys. As a child of the depression years, he learned the value of family, faith, frugality and certainly hard work. Martin's Ferry is very, very hilly. At 8 years old he asked to have a paper route and once his father knew he was serious, committed and wouldn't quit when it became too difficult, he was allowed to start a route. He rode his bike up and down those hills delivering the newspaper seven days a week, eventually building his route to 800 customers. At some point the route became a family venture and his brother James delivered papers too. As well as his residential customers, he remembered standing outside Wheeling Steel factory shouting out newspaper headlines announcing the latest events of World War 2, selling his papers to the employees arriving and leaving work. He would continue the paper route until he left for the service because his father always told him "this family doesn't quit and we always finish what we start." He did not quit and maintained that route for 10 years, even winning a trip to Washington, D.C. He was very athletic in school and lettered in a couple of sports. He liked to maintain friendships and this year, in the summer of 2021, he met with his remaining high school friend Susan and they celebrated their 75th high school reunion, just the two of them. At 18, he joined the Marines to serve at the end of WW2 however an injury at the end of boot camp curtailed his service. He went to Baldwin Wallace college in Northern Ohio, married and had 4 children. He spent his career in heavy equipment manufacturing (think big road machines) in accounting and finance. When he retired, he was the comptroller of the company for which he worked. As computing capabilites were introduced (think very beginning and a computer was a city block in size) he was very excited about discovering new ways to do better for his company and those he employed. As this technology was being developed, he worked side by side with the programmers he hired to move his company into more modern accounting practices. In the 60's he began spending many weekends working to help his youngest brother Bob with the accounting of Bob's hardware store in downtown Martin's Ferry until Bob died in November of 2020. Nelson was a lifelong learner and read constantly. He enjoyed talking about the philosophical aspects of life with anyone who enjoyed that kind of conversation and always encouraged others to never stop learning and reading. The love of his life was his 2nd wife Delores and she preceded him in death in 2006. Everyone still misses Delores. He would still cry when he talked about her years later. And ever the romantic, his favorite channel was Hallmark. Nelson was also preceeded in death by his father and mother, James and Catherine Winters as well as his younger brother James and his youngest brother Robert (Bob) and his 3rd wife, Liz Allen. He had four children with Velenthol Grace Chrislip; Melvin Mickey Winters (Coldwater, Mi), Valorie (Jim Tufano, Tipp City, Oh), Marcy (Barry, Troy, Oh) Caldwell and David (Mary, Port Richey, FL) Winters. His grandchildren by age are Tracy Petrae, Brandi Smoker, Tasha Purvis, Nacole Floyd, Allison Winters and David Caldwell. He has 9 great- grandchildren. He was also blessed with many nieces and nephews, and special thanks to niece Tracy and her family for their support. Until Covid curtailed church attendance, he regularly sat in the back row with his other ornery back row friends. He had great friends who showed the love of Jesus to him everyday through the last few years of his life. There are too many people to count but do want to thank Carrie (and sister Katie) who became his adopted granddaughter and demonstrated Christ's love daily to Nelson with numerous acts of service in a time of need, especially since all of his children are out of the area with incapacitating illness or in the area with illness. As well, Nelson truly appreciated his "church angel" Bernie who was a great friend. Also on the back row and sweet supporter was Sue along with Ruth. There are others to be sure. But these mentioned here were outstanding. Nelson has the BEST neighbors; Norma and Deb and Connie and Dave and Lorrie. Like his church family, his neighbors were constantly watching out for him and the family is grateful. Much thanks to Adkins Funeral Home for kind and patient support helping Nelson setup arrangements ahead of time. Nelson requested there be no service for him so we will honor this request but we hope to gather at his home for an open house sometime after the New Year 2022. As an open house gathering becomes more of a reality, the information will be updated on this site. Burial will follow the cremation in the Riverview Cemetery, Martins Ferry, Ohio. Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts.

Nelson Edward Winters

March 4, 1928 - December 16, 2021