John E. Nelson, 99, of Indianapolis, passed away on April 30, 2017. He was born on December 13, 1917 in Marion, Indiana to Earl and Hallie Nelson. John graduated from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis.

He was drafted into the US Army in 1943. He landed in Europe on D-Day. He called in artillery fire from ahead of the lines; participated in the Battle of the Bulge, and helped to liberate several refugee camps in Czechoslovakia. He was honorably discharged in 1945.

John was a salesman for many different companies. He was also a land developer. In his later years, he worked in the bakery at Marsh, and at the Photo Shop at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for many years, before officially retiring.

John is survived by his children, Linda Nelson Welling, Dawn Nelson (Fred) Andrews, Drew Nelson, and Dana (Lauren) Nelson; grandchildren, Brian (Debra) Welling, Julia Nelson, Jude Nelson, George Andrews, and MacKenzie Andrews; and great grandchildren, Melanna Welling, Brynnah Welling, Kayla Allison, and Halle Allison. He is preceded in death by his wife, Sharon Armstrong Nelson; and former spouses, Maynel Anderson Nelson and Dixie Jean Williams Nelson; his son, Kenneth Nelson; and grandson, Duane C. Welling.

A funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at Indiana Funeral Care, Harry W Moore Chapel, with visitation beginning at 11:30 a.m. John will be laid to rest at the Estates of Serenity in Marion, IN following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the American Legion Post 500, 1926 N. Georgetown Road, Speedway; FACE Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic, 1505 Mass Ave, Indpls, IN; or Indy Honor Flights (www.indyhonorflights.org).