John S. Nelson

John S. Nelson, a lifelong resident of Hebron, Illinois, peacefully passed into his eternal home. Born in Belvidere, Illinois, to the late Raymond and Lena (John) Nelson, John attended Alden-Hebron Schools and graduated with the Class of 1965. John proudly enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving as an airplane engine mechanic from 1966 to 1970. After his military service, he married the love of his life, Suzanne (Wallace), and together they shared 47 wonderful years. Deeply rooted in his identity as a farm kid, John and Sue built their forever home on farmland in the country—a true labor of love. With the help of good friends and their two small children, they created a home filled with memories, including the special joy of picking out field stones for their fireplace, a detail that made it uniquely theirs. John is survived by his devoted wife, Sue; his children, Shannon, Jason (Stephanie), and Amber Nelson; and his cherished grandchildren, Tommy, Arianna, Briana, Hayden, Hunter, Danny, Lilliana, and Juliana. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Caroline Nelson. A pillar of his community, John was a 52-year member of the Hebron American Legion Post 606 and a life member of the Moose Lodge 1289 in Harvard, Illinois. He volunteered with the Hebron Fire Department and dedicated himself to youth sports, coaching Little League baseball and serving on the board of the Stateline Raiders Jr tackle football. John and Sue spent countless hours supporting their children, grandchildren, and their teammates, driving far and wide to cheer them on—right up to the last basketball game for his grandsons. In his younger years, John’s classmates fondly remembered his love for scooters, which later evolved into his pride and joy, a 2003 Harley. He also had a passion for music, often singing and playing guitar to folk and country songs. His love for nature shone through in his favorite pastimes: hunting and fishing. John could sit for hours in a quiet field, waiting for that big buck, or rise at dawn to fish for the big bass. In the months before his passing, he found peace driving to the McHenry Dam, watching eagles soar to their nests—a quiet moment of reflection that brought him solace. John’s work ethic was unwavering. Over the years, he held positions at Vaughn & Bushnell, Peet Freight Line, Hebron Disposal Service, Walters Farms, and Hebron Township. He spent 30 years as a home construction laborer with Residential Development Group in Crystal Lake, Illinois, as a proud member of Laborers Local Union 1035. When the housing market declined, retirement wasn’t his first choice—he was a hard-working man at heart—but he soon embraced it, reconnecting with old jobs and finding new friends who shared his love for hunting and fishing. Retirement, it turned out, was well deserved and far from dull. Together, John and Sue built a lifetime of memories, from weekend getaways and long road trips to cruises and quiet evenings on their deck. Known for his care toward longtime friends and co-workers, John was always ready to lend a helping hand without expecting anything in return. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Hoops Restaurant 10521 IL Route 47 in Hebron, Illinois, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m, with military honors at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor John’s memory may make donations to the Hebron Rescue Squad or the Alden-Hebron Athletic Department.

John S. Nelson

June 15, 1947 - April 14, 2025