Charles O. "Chuck" Nelson, age 87 of Springfield, MO, formerly of Kansas City, MO, died Friday, December 25, 2009 after a chronic illness. A visitation will be held from 6:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel, 1947 E. Seminole in Springfield, MO 65804. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2009 at the Freeman Cemetery in Freeman, MO.

Chuck was born September 23, 1922 in Holden, MO, the son of Charles O. and Bertha L. (Gilliam) Nelson. He was raised in Kansas City and had lived in Springfield since 1967.

Chuck was a WWII Army veteran, serving in the South Pacific and was Sergeant of a machine gun squad in the 6th Infantry Division. He held two Bronze Star medals among other awards.

He was a wholesale drug salesman for twenty years and was front-end manager for Cotter's Pharmacy for fifteen years until retirement in 1985. Chuck was also a drummer, playing in dance bands in both Springfield and Kansas City, MO.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 40 years, Migna H. Nelson. He leaves behind a niece, Diana Wood, whom he raised as a daughter, and two great-nieces, Heather Smart and Rachel Wood-Self, all of Springfield, MO and a great-great niece, Emily Smart.