Charles T. “Charlie” Nelson passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 after a brief battle with lung cancer. He was born January 5, 1945 in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania to Paul George Nelson and Elrena Priscilla Marthey. He recently celebrated his 80th birthday.
Dad married his sweetheart, Diane Louise Nelson, on May 29, 1967 on an army base in the state of Washington. They were later sealed as a couple for time and all eternity in the Washington DC Latter-Day Saint temple on May 30, 1975. Dad and Mom converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the early 1970’s, and both served faithfully in many church callings. Dad was best known for his years as a Cub Scout leader and a ward clerk. He was a mentor to many young Scouts.
As a boy, Dad was fascinated with electronics and other technology. As he matured, those interests morphed into a lifelong love of photography. He was particularly interested in the technical processes and gear involved in taking and editing pictures. He recently invented a process for scanning and color correcting images that was even published online. He could talk for hours about his hobby and loved to share his passion for it.
Dad was always willing to serve others. He was generous to his children and imparted many words of wisdom. He followed politics and current events with great interest. Dad also enjoyed traveling to visit both sides of the family every year, even after Mom passed away.
Dad was predeceased by his wife, Diane, as of March 12, 2008 and by his siblings, Carol Bice and Paul Nelson. His surviving children are Kimberly, Eric (Gloria), Aaron (Stefanie), Jason (Star) and Annette Flint (Chris). Dad is also survived by his ten grandchildren, Erica, Valerie, Jared, Isaac, Jesse, Ethan, Lincoln, Justice, Claire, Conrad and by one great-grandchild, Eva.
A public viewing will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 9:30 – 10:30 AM, at Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc., 206 N. Spring Street, Bellefonte. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 AM, at the funeral home, with Adam Harry officiating. Burial services with full military honors will immediately follow at Pine Hall Cemetery in State College.