SHERMAN, IL – Richard E. Nelson, 80, passed away Monday, April 16, 2018, at Memorial Medical Center.

He was born November 27, 1937, to Harold "Butch" and Louise (Larson) Nelson. He married Shirley Galyean in 1956. He later married Lori Wadhams in Galesburg on December 10, 1988. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Editha "Dee Dee" Schwartzkopf; sons, Scott and Russell Nelson; and sister, Janet Halverson Atkins.

Richard graduated from Galesburg High School in 1955. He worked in the farming and horse breeding industry, retiring from Walker Standardbreds in 2014. He was a Mason and former president of the Knox County Fair Board.

He is survived by his wife, Lori; son, Zachary Nelson; daughter-in-law, Hope Nelson; son-in-law, Dirk Schwartzkopf; seven grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life: 2-6 p.m., Saturday, April 28, 2018, at the Artisan Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Casual attire is encouraged.