Carl Oke Nelson Jr.

August 13, 1932 - March 14, 2017

Carl Oke Nelson Jr. 83 of White Haven died Tuesday March 15 at his home.
Born in Olean NY on August 13 1932 he was the son of the late Carl and Alberta (Loeffler) Nelson.
He was a member of St. Patrick’s Church, White Haven.
Carl attended grade school and graduated from Olean High School in 1950. He joined the US Navy in August of 1951 at the start of the Korean War. Serving three tours of duty in the Mediterranean Theater and on tour in the Korean Theater. Upon his honorable discharge, he received the Korean Defense Metal, National Defense and the Good Conduct Metal.
He started working for Sharps Bakery of Freeland, a house to house business selling bakery products to the public. After 5 years he left and went to work for Stroehmans Sunbeam bread as a route salesman and a short time later became route supervisor for the company in Hazleton.
Carl married the former Loretta A. Ravina and they had 3 sons; Carl M. Nelson – Ellicott City MD, Lawrence M. Nelson – Hazleton, and Mark L. Nelson- Upper Lehigh. His wife Loretta of 35 years passed on in 1990. He then met and married Kathleen S. Toms.
He was secretary treasurer for the Freeland Industrial Bowling League for 17 years, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of Cub Pack 50 and later served a Cub Master for 7 years.
In 1972 he joined the American Legion Post 473 and became very involved. Serving various offices in the home association, he was elected commander in 1976 for 2 terms, and was known as the Bicentennial Commander in 1977 he became the second person in the history of the Freeland legion to receive the legionnaire of the year award. In 1980 he was awarded life membership by the post for his loyal dedication to the American Legion and to his post in 1982 a good friend Michael (Shakes) Lozinak asked him to join the VFW post 5010.
Soon he become involved serving on the board of directors for many years. He was awarded the National Aide de Camp and in 1986 he was elected commander of the post at the end of his term he was awarded by the Pa. Department of the VFW the honor of being elected to the (all states commanders team) and was given cash, award, and a wrist watch and the honor and prestige of wearing the white hat. In 1988 he was awarded life membership for his many years of dedicated service and the outstanding contributions to the Freeland VFW post 5010. In that same year he was awarded VFW member of the year.
Retiring from the White Haven Center in 1992 his love for the game of horseshoes was great and he was good and was the man to beat. He was a member of the Freeland horseshoe league and served as president for a few years. After moving to white haven he helped to build the present VFW post 6615 in 1983 and the post then moved into its new home in June of 1985. In 2000 he was elected president of the home association and served 2 different terms as home association president.
Carl’s love for the game of horseshoes was so great and he was one of the top tossers in the area after moving to White Haven he started the ever popular horseshoe league that has grown into the best horseshoe league in the area and is still going strong.
Memorial services will be celebrated Thursday 10am in St. Patrick’s Church, 411 Allegheny St. White Haven.
Burial will follow in St. Ann’s Cemetery, Freeland.
McNulty Funeral Home 494 East Butler Dr. Freeland is in charge of all arrangement.