Charles Robert Nelms

Charles Robert (Bob) Nelms, 89, born July 23, 1922, died April 16, 2012 at Crestwood Manor after a rewarding, fruitful life. He leaves his 3 sons; Charles Robert Jr, Gary, and William; 9 grandchildren; and 5 great grandchildren – and also 2 sisters, Onie and Helen; and one brother, Jim; as well as innumerable other close relatives and friends.

He was born in West Chester, PA and raised in Voganville, PA – the son of Paul and Anna Nelms. The oldest of 6, Mr. Nelms enjoyed his youth to the fullest with his younger brothers and sisters and inherited his father’s streak of independence.

When World War II began, he began his tour of duty with the Army on December 16, 1942. After basic training in Orange, New Jersey, he trained for the D-Day invasion in Trowbridge, England. He landed in Normandy with the 4th Armored Division, and also saw active duty in Northern France, the Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe. He was wounded on September 30, 1944 in France, and received the Purple Heart. He also received the Good Conduct Medal, the Distinguished Unit Badge, and the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with 5 Bronze Stars. In many ways, the war silently but assuredly defined Mr. Nelms.

On his return from the war, he married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Nelms, who passed away on July 4, 2004. They moved from Voganville to the Bronx, New York in 1946, where he established the beginnings of the Nelms Egg Company. In 1948, he and his wife moved to Teaneck, New Jersey where they raised their 3 sons, where they were devoted members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Bogota, New Jersey.

Although consumed with his business, Mr. Nelms was insistent on weekend family outings. Lake Placid, NY, and Ocean City, NJ were two of his favorites. When his sons grew up and moved out of the house, he would routinely take his wife on similar weekend trips into New England and beyond. But his favorite times seemed to be spent at his Tom’s River house, and later at his son’s Lanoka Harbor house, where he could enjoy the life near the water and “the boat.”

Mr. Nelms will be missed by all that knew him.

A viewing will be held at Groff-High Funeral Home, 145 W. Main St., New Holland on Friday from 6 – 8 PM and at the church on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 AM.

A funeral service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 221 E. Main St., New Holland on Saturday, April 21 at 10:30 AM. Interment will be in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.