Stanley Otis Nelson, 90, Otwell

Stanley Otis Nelson, 90, of Otwell, passed away September 18, 2022, in Jasper.

He was born December 4, 1931, in Indianapolis to Paul and Lenoa Sullivan Nelson.

Stanley is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Roy, Buster, Henry, and Donald Lee; sisters Francis and Gayle.

In 1953, he married Carol Shepard. To this union, two children were born, Valerie Ann (Keith) Nelson Nolan and Vance Alan (Elaine) Nelson. In 1973, Carol passed away. In 1974, he married Ruth Ann Boger and became a parent to Vicki Boger Rauch and Brian Boger. Stanley leaves several beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Along with many nieces and nephews.

Stanley grew up in the White Oak area of Pike County and attended the White Oak School. In 1940, the Paul Nelson family moved to Indianapolis for 2 years. After that, the family moved back to Winslow and attended Winslow School until the seventh grade. At that time, he quit school to work in the carpenter business with his father and brothers.

When unable to find steady work, Stanley joined the Army on November 18, 1949. He took basic training at Fort Knox, KY. After training, he was sent to Japan and assigned to the 1^st Cavalry 1st 8th Combat Division Engineers. His first few months of duty were normal, but that soon changed in June of 1950. North Korea invaded South Korea, and Stanley’s Company was deployed, and his life was changed forever. On February 14 and 15 in 1951, he was taken prisoner by the Chinese near Chipyong Ni, Korea. He was severely wounded, losing his left leg among numerous wounds. He was beaten over the head with a shovel and left to die. US troops advanced the next day and he was rescued. He spent the next 11 months in a Veterans Hospital. He retired January 31, 1952 from the Army. He was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, POW Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Badge, and an Individual Conferment of the French Croix De Guerre by the Government of France.

The young Corporal returned home to Winslow. He was eager to find work but had no education and was severely handicapped. The first place he looked was the International Harvester Company in Evansville and surprisingly with his handicap, the company hired him. He worked for the IHC for four years. In 1956, Stanley enrolled in Oakland City College and graduated in 1960 with a B.S. Degree. In 1960 he ran for Circuit Court Clerk of Pike County. He served in that position for 7 years and then accepted a position with the Pike County School Corp and filled many positions there. He retired from the School Corp on May 29, 1980.

Funeral services for Stanley will take place 11 a.m. EST on Friday, September 23, at Harris Funeral Home in Petersburg with visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. EST on Thursday, September 22, and Friday from 9 a.m. EST until service time at the funeral home. Pastor Henry Wade Nelson will be officiating and burial will follow at Sunset Cemetery in Winslow.

Harris Funeral Home is entrusted with care.