David Lee Nelson
MARATHON, FL - David Lee Nelson, age 82, succumbed to his illness with COPD on April 12, 2024. Dave was calm and at peace talking with family and friends just days before his death. He passed away at home in Marathon, Florida with his wife, Mary.
Dave was born on July 19, 1941, in Highland Park, Michigan to Harry and Florence (Eddy) Nelson. He grew up in Highland Park spending time at Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Detroit. He and his parents traveled often to Marietta, Ohio to enjoy time with his extended family.
After graduating from Highland Park High School, he started working at The Detroit News delivering newspapers to news racks (jumper), working his way to a Regional Circulation Manager. Working for the newspaper brought him his greatest joy. He was passionate about providing his customers with service beyond compare, even re-delivering late papers himself. He said that a home delivered morning paper was a highly perishable product, since it ended up on the bottom of a bird cage if it wasn’t delivered on time. Dave retired in April 1999 after 39 years and 6 months of service.
Dave married Jennie and raised two wonderful sons, Micheal and Steven, in Ferndale, Michigan. For many years the family enjoyed her family’s cottage in Grand Bend, Ontario. While living in Ferndale Dave was very active in the community working on the Ferndale Zoning Board and with the local chapter of the Jaycees. Dave was also a Court Officer for Royal Oak.
While working at the News he discovered a new interest in technology when Dave met Mary Bilovus, who also worked for the paper in the Computer Department. Dave and Mary married July 15, 1990, and acquired Mary’s childhood home in Shelby Township where they lived for 28 years. They engaged in many projects to update and modernize their much-loved home. After many winters spent in the Florida Keys, they decided to permanently move to Marathon, Florida in 2020.
Dave and Mary enjoyed many vacations around the US, Mexico and the Caribbean. When they adopted their dog, Frankie, they bought an RV to explore the natural wonders of the US. They were also classic car buffs, they managed a frame-off restoration of their 1953 MG TD and participated in many car shows including Concourse de’ Elegance.
Dave is survived by his wife, Mary, sons, Micheal and Steven and 5 grandchildren, brother-in-law Joseph (Lana) Bilovus. Dave is preceded in death by his parents Harry and Florence Nelson, in-laws Jerry and Elizabeth Bilovus, and sister-in-law Ann Bilovus.
“Any who”, there will be a Celebration of Dave’s Life on July 19, 2024, for details contact dnelson5466@gmail.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations will be appreciated to Baptist Health (baptisthealthgiving.net/foundation/donatenow) for designation of Mariners Hospital.