Wanda Jean Nelson, 85, of Marion, passed away at 1:50 am on Sunday, December 26, 2021, at Rolling Meadows Health & Rehabilitation Center in LaFontaine. She was born in Marion on Tuesday, August 25, 1936, to Lawrence and Edna (Henderson) Downam. On June 22, 1960, she married James Nelson, and he preceded her in death on April 28, 1998.
Wanda graduated from Sweetser High School and although she worked in the kitchen at RCA in her younger years, she was more importantly a dedicated wife and mother who raised her family at home. She had attended Southside Wesleyan Church. Wanda was an avid bowler and bowled in leagues in Marion and Gas City. She liked sewing and crocheting, and made clothing for her children when they were young. She was a very dedicated mother and was involved in all her children’s activities. Family meant the world to Wanda, and she loved her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Survivors include her son, Jimmy (Michele) Nelson of Marion; daughters, Vicki (Steve) Armes of Marion and Kathy (Bryan) Weaver of LaFontaine; grandchildren, Jason (Alisha) Armes, Krista (Matt) Smock, Casey (Stephen) Howlett, Nick (Kasi) Armes, Isaac (Kerrigan) Armes, Tyler (Alexis) Weaver, Kyle (Katie) Weaver, Kaleb (Allison) Nelson, Cydnee (Justin) O’Brien and Bradon (Megan) Nelson; great-grandchildren, Paighton, Lainey, Eli, Kellsea, Gavin, Liam, Ethan, Emma, Avery, Judah, Blakely, Olivia, Brynlee, Alaina, Titus, Grayson, Oakleigh, Bear, Mackenlee and Braxton; brothers, Larry (Cheryl) Downam of Jonesboro and Joe (Debbie) Downam of Jonesboro; sisters, Sarah Levensky of Gas City, Mary Stivers of Marion, Thelma Sheets of Fairmount, Shirley Kale of OH and Linda Owens of Marion; sister-in-law, Garnett Downam; as well as several nieces, nephews and friends; and a special caregiver, Diane (Ron) Binkerd.
In addition to her parents and loving husband, Wanda was preceded in death by her brothers, William Downam and Donald Downam; sister, Elizabeth Goble; and great-grandsons, Brody Armes, and Kyson Nelson.
The family will receive visitors from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Thursday, December 30, 2021, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, Storey Chapel, 400 E. Main Street, Gas City, IN.
Immediately following the time of visitation, a service to celebrate Wanda’s life will begin at 1:00 pm. Burial will take place at Grant Memorial Park.
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