Michael F. Nelson

Michael F. Nelson, 89, of Burket, Indiana passed at 11:03 am, Friday, April 24, 2026 at his residence. Mike Nelson was born on September 23, 1936, in Kosciusko County, Indiana, to Denzel and Lena (Williamson) Nelson. After his mother’s passing, he was lovingly raised by his stepmother, Marian (Conn) Nelson. He graduated from Burket High School in 1954, where he excelled on the basketball court and finished among the school’s top five all‑time scorers. From 1960 to 1962, Mike proudly served his country in the United States Army. On July 19, 1964, he married the love of his life, Karen L. Schulenburg in Tipton, Indiana. Farming was Mike’s lifelong calling. With early guidance from his grandfather and alongside his brother Jerry, he built a life working the land around the Burket area. He raised cattle and hogs and tended his fields with his trusted John Deere equipment. Faith and community were central to Mike’s life. He was a lifelong member of the Burket Bible Church—formerly the Burket United Methodist Church—where he served many years as a trustee. He also served on the North Central Co-op board and spent years as a Pioneer Seed Corn salesman. His involvement extended to the Kosciusko County Cattlemen's Association, the Tippecanoe Valley Holding Board during school consolidation, and the Kosciusko County 4‑H Fair Cattle Barn, where he served as superintendent and strong supporter. Mike enjoyed many hobbies over the years, including bowling and cheering on his favorite teams: Purdue Boilermaker basketball, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Green Bay Packers. He rarely missed morning coffee with the local farmers, a daily ritual he cherished. Above all, Mike was devoted to his family. He took great joy in watching his grandchildren show their animals in 4‑H and loved passing down the tradition of fishing—first learned from his father and later shared with the next generations. He is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years Karen Nelson of Burket; son Scott and wife Jenny A. Nelson of rural Claypool; daughter-in-law Jenny M. Nelson of Mentone; grandchildren Grant, Sidney, Haley, and Cole Nelson; sister Darla Hamm of Benson, North Carolina; sister-in-law Pat Nelson of Winona Lake; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, son Todd Nelson, and brothers Jerry and Larry Nelson. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 am, Thursday, April 30, 2026 at King Memorial Home 101 North Tucker Street Mentone, Indiana with Rev. Mark Eastway officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service time at the funeral home. The interment will follow in the Mentone Cemetery, Mentone, Indiana. Visitation hours will be held from 3 pm to 7 pm, Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at King Memorial Home, Mentone, Indiana. Memorial contributions can be made in his memory to the Burket Bible Church or Elara Caring 7030 Pointe Inverness Way, Suite 230A Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804 or the Kosciusko County 4-H Council.

Michael F. Nelson

September 23, 1936 - April 24, 2026