HAMPSHIRE—Deacon John William Nelson passed away peacefully on April 1, 2026, surrounded by his family.
Deacon Nelson was born in Rahway, N.J. He grew up with a passion for sports, especially basketball and baseball, and loved cheering for his favorite teams in New York and later, Chicago.
At the University of Notre Dame, Ind., he met the love of his life, Katherine (Kay) Jeanne Faivre. There he earned his bachelor’s degree in English and serving in the ROTC program.
He was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy and served as a Lieutenant JG on the USS Fort Marion during the Vietnam War. John was awarded several medals for his dedication
and service.
Deacon Nelson completed his military term and later earned a master’s degree in business administration from San Diego State University, Calif. After accepting a position with Xerox, John moved his growing family to Rochester, NY, where he began a finance career that spanned nearly three decades. Even during his busiest periods at work, John made it a priority to attend as many of his children’s sports events as possible.
Upon retiring from Xerox, he began a new chapter of serving the Catholic Church. He earned his master’s degree in theology from St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry, Rochester, N.Y. He was ordained a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Rochester June 8, 2002. He served as a deacon at Christ the King Parish in Rochester for five years.
In the Diocese of Rockford, Deacon Nelson served as a deacon at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Hampshire for 18 years. Through his leadership, the parish established its first conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Kay; his four children, Kelly (David) Zitlow, Christopher (Joan) Nelson, Bridget Nelson, and Megan (Russ) Wylie; his grandchildren, Eva and Ryan Zitlow, Hannah (Matthew) Duffey, Christopher (Samantha), Katherine, Conor, and Jack Nelson, and Eloise, Henry, and George Wylie; his sister Janice Pflugfelder; and many nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends.
A visitation was held April 8 at St. Charles Borromeo Parish, followed by a prayer service. A second visitation was held at the church April 9, followed by the funeral service. A burial with military honors was held in the church cemetery immediately afterward.
—Obituary and photo courtesy of Fredrick Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made payable to:
— University of Notre Dame scholarship fund: University of Notre Dame, Department of Development, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556 with a note directing gifts to John William Nelson ‘65 Scholarship.
— Society of St. Vincent de Paul: St. Charles Borromeo Conference of St. Vincent de Paul Society, 297 E. Jefferson Ave., Hampshire, IL 60140.
