1958
Johnny
2025
Johnny Nelson
March 3, 1958 — September 14, 2025
Johnny A. Nelson, 67, of Rockford, IL, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, September 14, 2025. He was born on March 3, 1958, in Rockford, the son of John A. and Ruth (Carlson) Nelson and was raised in Borgholm, Sweden. In 1976 Johnny set off for an American adventure. He planned to earn enough money to buy a car, return to Sweden, and become a pharmacist. When he landed a job at Atwood (where he worked for nearly 30 years until they closed in 2004) at the age of 18, he found more than work - he felt a sense of family, bought his house, and Rockford became home.
Johnny was proud of his Swedish roots, often reminiscing about his childhood escapades with Urban, exploring castle ruins and swimming in the Baltic Sea. His deep love for water and the great outdoors stayed with him throughout his life. He found joy in maintaining his home and always improving his backyard paradise. On August 1, 2010, he committed to Laurie Campbell-Doss as they dove into marriage at their backyard poolside wedding. They found joy gardening, swimming, sunbathing, and gazing at the stars from the hammock. When Johnny wasn’t soaking up the outdoors, you could find him tuned in to the Weather Channel, always keeping an eye on the skies.
Johnny was a man of routines, and Sundays had some of the best. He was a member of Forest City Church where he loved to have coffee, donuts, and conversation before service and worship in the morning. He was also passionate about football. He always said, “Somebody has to win and somebody has to lose. I just want to see a good game played!” Many Sunday afternoons he could be heard cheering for Chicago and urging his family to “Bear down!” He was even more proud to cheer on Karianna, his granddaughter, at the Guilford Girls Flag Football games. Other daily routines integrated him as a familiar and beloved member of the neighborhood. He was often seen walking his dog and visiting with neighbors or making daily stops at Pinnon.
Johnny was a protector, a guardian of those he loved and devoted himself to as a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Johnny’s radiant smile brightened every room. His unmistakable voice and laughter filled every space with warmth, humor, and genuine joy. Johnny was a great man. He will be deeply missed and never forgotten.
Survivors include his wife, Laurie; loyal companion, Bruce Lee; children, David (Jenn) Betts, Damian (Andrea) Nelson, Michael Craglow, Kari Doss, Justin (Marlene) Doss, and Evan (Andrew Harth) Doss; grandchildren, Luke, Mariah, and Drew Betts, Damian Jr., Gage, Caitlin, Stori, and Cota Nelson, Karianna Valentine, and Michael Craglow Jr.; sister, Nancy (Barrett) Smith; nieces, Lisa (Kris) Schuur, Mcrea (Benjamin) Chandler, and Moira (Dave) Hammarstedt. Predeceased by his parents; brothers, Robert L. Marlow, David L. Marlow, and Eddy L. Nelson.
Memorial service at 11 a.m. Monday, September 22, 2025, at Delehanty Funeral Home, 401 River Lane, Loves Park, IL, with visitation from 10 a.m. to service time. Cremation rites accorded. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established.
Johnny was proud of his Swedish roots, often reminiscing about his childhood escapades with Urban, exploring castle ruins and swimming in the Baltic Sea. His deep love for water and the great outdoors stayed with him throughout his life. He found joy in maintaining his home and always improving his backyard paradise. On August 1, 2010, he committed to Laurie Campbell-Doss as they dove into marriage at their backyard poolside wedding. They found joy gardening, swimming, sunbathing, and gazing at the stars from the hammock. When Johnny wasn’t soaking up the outdoors, you could find him tuned in to the Weather Channel, always keeping an eye on the skies.
Johnny was a man of routines, and Sundays had some of the best. He was a member of Forest City Church where he loved to have coffee, donuts, and conversation before service and worship in the morning. He was also passionate about football. He always said, “Somebody has to win and somebody has to lose. I just want to see a good game played!” Many Sunday afternoons he could be heard cheering for Chicago and urging his family to “Bear down!” He was even more proud to cheer on Karianna, his granddaughter, at the Guilford Girls Flag Football games. Other daily routines integrated him as a familiar and beloved member of the neighborhood. He was often seen walking his dog and visiting with neighbors or making daily stops at Pinnon.
Johnny was a protector, a guardian of those he loved and devoted himself to as a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Johnny’s radiant smile brightened every room. His unmistakable voice and laughter filled every space with warmth, humor, and genuine joy. Johnny was a great man. He will be deeply missed and never forgotten.
Survivors include his wife, Laurie; loyal companion, Bruce Lee; children, David (Jenn) Betts, Damian (Andrea) Nelson, Michael Craglow, Kari Doss, Justin (Marlene) Doss, and Evan (Andrew Harth) Doss; grandchildren, Luke, Mariah, and Drew Betts, Damian Jr., Gage, Caitlin, Stori, and Cota Nelson, Karianna Valentine, and Michael Craglow Jr.; sister, Nancy (Barrett) Smith; nieces, Lisa (Kris) Schuur, Mcrea (Benjamin) Chandler, and Moira (Dave) Hammarstedt. Predeceased by his parents; brothers, Robert L. Marlow, David L. Marlow, and Eddy L. Nelson.
Memorial service at 11 a.m. Monday, September 22, 2025, at Delehanty Funeral Home, 401 River Lane, Loves Park, IL, with visitation from 10 a.m. to service time. Cremation rites accorded. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Johnny Nelson, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Delehanty Funeral Home
Memorial Service
Delehanty Funeral Home
Guestbook
Visits: 4
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors