John Ivan Nelson, 78, died peacefully at his home in Paris, Michigan surrounded by his loving family on November 24, 2020. Born in Mt. Clemens, Michigan on December 30, 1941 to Walter and Gloria (Bregg) Nelson, he was a 1960 graduate of Reed City High School. He joined the U.S. Army directly after graduation. During his time in the military, he served at Fort Belvoir, Virginia where he was selected to be a student instructor, and later in Heidelberg, Germany as a draftsman. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he married his childhood sweetheart Sally Ann Wetherell on October 12, 1963. He had a long and successful career as a professional licensed land surveyor spanning four decades. Concurrently, he was also active in the Mecosta County Remonumentation Program, the Ferris State University land surveying advisory committee, and other professional positions in his field. He retired as a field survey manager for Michigan Consolidated Gas Company in 1996. He was proud of his family and enjoyed reading to his grandchildren and great grandchild, spending time with them outdoors at Hogback Lake, deer hunting, as well as many fly-in fishing trips to Ontario, Canada. He had a love for two-cylinder John Deere tractors, collecting, restoring, and showing them, and was an active member of the "Greasy Fingers 2 Cylinder Club." He was also a life member of the AMVETS Post MI-2965 and an active member of the Big Rapids First United Methodist Church congregation since 1964. John is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sally; two sons, Matthew (Theresa) and Thomas (Melissa); daughter Annette (Timothy) Franklin; eight grandchildren; one great granddaughter; two sisters, Susan Mazique and Mary-Jane Horvat; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Due to COVID-19, private family services are being held. John will be laid to rest at Pinora Cemetery #1 in Pinora Township, Lake County. In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that you make charitable donations to the Big Rapids First United Methodist Church, 304 Elm Street, Big Rapids, Michigan 49307, in his honor. Arrangements and care entrusted to the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or leave a condolence for the family by clicking the guestbook tab at www.daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com Private Family Service Wednesday, November 25, 2020 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Daggett Funeral Home, Inc 19238 South 30th Avenue Barryton,Michigan 49305