Clarence J. Nelson

Clarence J. Nelson, 96, of Garden Spot Village Retirement Community, moved from his earthly home to his eternal home in heaven with his Lord on February 29, 2012. Born in New Holland, he was the son of the late Homer and Lizzie (Schoenberger) Nelson. He attended New Holland public schools through 9th grade, and then went to work as a grocery store clerk and day laborer. While working at the New Holland Brass, Bronze, and Aluminum Co. from 1936-1941, he completed accounting courses through International Correspondence Schools. He began his career in accounting with the John S. Ewell Trucking Co. in East Earl, but left in 1942 to serve in the Army during World War II. After the war, he took advantage of the G.I. bill to attend the Armed Forces Institute for Cost and Advanced Accounting and passed the Pennsylvania CPA exam in 1948. He also started his career with the former New Holland Machine Co./Sperry New Holland where he worked for 35 years until his retirement in 1980. Over his career, he held various positions including General Accounting Manager, Assistant Controller and Director of Management Systems and Services. He also served as Secretary for the company’s Operating Committee. Clarence’s lifetime accomplishments all centered around his main priority in life, which was to be of service to the Lord. He was a lifetime member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church in New Holland where he taught Sunday School for 73 years. He was an active member of the congregation, serving in numerous capacities over the years including Lay Leader for 28 years, chairman of the Finance committee, Treasurer, member of the Building committee for the Christian Education Building, and Trustee. As a young man, Clarence also became very active in the Lancaster County Christian Endeavor, and served as President from 1939-41. In 1942 he was instrumental in bringing the state convention to Lancaster where he undertook the local chairmanship. He organized the parade that was held in Lancaster, which the Lancaster Newspapers called the largest Christian demonstration of the time. It was during his involvement with the Christian Endeavor organization that he met his future wife, Eloise Dugan, whom he married in 1937. Clarence was a lifelong resident of New Holland and served his local community as Borough Auditor, Secretary of the Eastern Lancaster County Joint School Authority, and Director at the Ephrata Hospital. He was an avid golfer and former member of Meadia Heights Golf Club. He later joined Hawk Valley Golf Club where he was the only member to ever have a hole-in-one on each of the four par 3’s. He was married to Eloise (Dugan) for 38 years until her death in 1976. In 1977 he married Eleanore Hoober, and they were married for 26 years until her death in 2003. He was preceded in death by his oldest brother Lester Nelson of Arvada, CO, and a sister Flora Hartranft of Ephrata, PA. He is survived by younger sister Evelyn Tuttle of Tucson, AZ. Surviving in addition to his sister are sons Donald Nelson, married to Lisa, of Landisville, and William Nelson, married to Wendy of Whitehall Twp., daughter Audrey Steele of Columbus, OH, stepson Tom Hoober and stepdaughter Nancy Hoober, both of New Holland. He has 5 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren and 2 step great grandchildren. Final arrangements will be private for the family. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Memorial Service on Saturday, March 10, at 11 a.m. at the Evangelical United Methodist Church, 276 W. Main St., New Holland, PA 17557 with Rev. Eric Ritz officiating. Friends will be received at the church from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Kindly omit flowers. If desired, memorials in Clarence’s memory can be sent to the Memorial Fund of the New Holland E.U.M. Church, address above, or to Hospice of Lancaster County, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125. Beck Funeral Home, New Holland, is in charge of arrangements.