Darwyn E. Nelson
October 4, 1946 ~ June 27, 2022 (age 75)
Darwyn E. Nelson died on Monday, June 27, 2022, at age 75 in Greencastle, IN
from Glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. He was born on October 4, 1946 in
Mattoon, IL to the late Albert Leo and Martha Alice Champion Nelson.
He was married to Ila Rae Klay Nelson for nearly 32 years from December 28, 1968
until her death on November 29, 2000. He later married Janice Nelson.
Darwyn graduated from Mattoon High School and Murray State University. He
completed his Master’s Degree work at the University of Kansas. He earned two
Silver Stars and one Purple Heart while serving in the Vietnam War for the United
States Army. He recently retired as an associate professor from Vincennes
University and before then he was employed with a variety of agriculture
companies and institutions such as Farm Bureau and the Soybean Association.
Darwyn was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel by Governor John Brown, Jr. He
was named the Putnam County Friend of Extension in January 2022. He had also
been the 2019 Putnam County Spirit of the Fair Award recipient. He is a past
Putnam County Fair Board President, 4-H Sheep Barn Superintendent, Harris Hall
Coordinator and 4-H Council Member. Darwyn was a true believer in the FFA and
was a devoted community member to South Putnam FFA members for over 40
years. He was recognized with the Indiana State FFA Distinguished Service Award
in 2004. He had served as a Trustee for the South Putnam Community School
Board and was a member of the Cloverdale United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his mother, Martha Alice Champion Nelson; his wife, Janice;
children, Karen Nelson Heavin (Anthony), Sandra Nelson Ferrand (Branden) and
David Nelson (Christy); grandchildren, Colton Ferrand, Samantha Ferrand, Garrett
Heavin and Brock Heavin; one great-grandchild, Dredyn Ferrand; siblings, Bonnie
Paszkiewicz, Greg “Nic” Nelson (Kathy) and Bill Nelson (Connie); 11 nieces and
nephews and Janice’s daughters Terri and Nicki.
Darwyn is preceded in death by his father, Albert Leo Nelson, his wife, Ila Rae Klay
Nelson, parent-in-laws, Raymond and Ila Jones Klay and brother-in-law, Larry
Paskiewicz.
A memorial service for Darwyn will be held Thursday June 30th, 2022 at the Cloverdale United Methodist
Church at 12:00 pm with Pastor BJ Siefert officiating. The services will be
facilitated by Whitaker Funeral Home, Cloverdale. Memorials may be made to
South Putnam FFA and the Cloverdale United Methodist Church.
