M. Nelson

Coal Valley, Illinois
Dorothy M. Nelson, 91, formerly of Coal Valley, Illinois, died Tuesday, February 24, 2009, in Avonlea Cottage, Milan, Illinois
Services are 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, Coal Valley, with The Reverend Tim Snart officiating. Burial is in Rose Lawn Memorial Estate, Moline, and will be followed by a luncheon at the church. Visitation is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at the church. Memorials may be made to the church. Trimble Funeral and Cremation Center, Coal Valley, is entrusted with arrangements.
The former Dorothy Mae Snyder was born February 28, 1917, in Marseilles, Illinois, the daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Gertrude (Doremus) Snyder. Her family moved to East Moline when she was a little girl. She married Reynold ?Penny? Nelson on April 2, 1938, in Clinton, Iowa. He died August 10, 1998.
Dorothy was employed at Bituminous Casualty, and then, along with her husband, she worked at the Rock Island Arsenal and later as custodians at First Presbyterian Church in Coal Valley. She enjoyed taking care of her house and doing yard work, and was a active member of her church, where she sang in the choir and was involved with the Mariners, Deacons, and the weekly ministry at Oak Glen Home.
She was proud of her grandson, Kevin Bridgford of Alexandria, Virginia, and her three granddaughters and their husbands, Kim Bridgford and Pete Duval, Kelly and Rob Higgins, and Kari and Pat Waldron, and her seven great-grandchildren, Nick Duval, Ben, Will and Kate Higgins, and Jonah, Sam and Clara Waldron.
Dorothy is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Carole and Ken Bridgford of Coal Valley; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her brother-in-law, Bob Nelson and his wife Marge of Moline; and many nieces and nephews and their families. She was preceded in death by her husband, nine brothers and two sisters.
The families of Teresa and Karl Bleyhl, Mike and Dora Schmooke, and Pastor Tim and Lori Snart were very special to her and were always available when needed. The people in the church were her extended family and she loved every one of them. When she was sick, they visited her, and brought her flowers, candy, custard, homemade rolls, etc., but mostly their love.
Dorothy?s family would like to thank Heartland Health Care Center for their special care during her three rehabilitation stays with them. The family would also like to express their gratitude to the staff at Avonlea Cottage, who gave her such loving care and made her part of their family during the last six months of her life. We appreciate you all so much.
Friends may express condolences, share a story about her or light a candle in her memory at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.