Harlan E. Nelson, Age 93 of Bear Lake passed away Wednesday evening August 26, 2015 at the Manistee County Medical Care Facility. He was born on September 21, 1921 in Manistee the son of the late Virsil N. & Lucille (Belgarde) Nelson. He attended Onekama High School, graduating in 1939. On June 10, 1940 he married Betty J. Short at the Methodist Church in Napoleon, Ohio. Harlan worked out of Local #340 in Battle Creek as an Iron Worker in the construction industry for 48 years before his retirement in 1982. He belonged to the Bear Lake United Methodist Church and was a life-long member of the Democratic Party. He enjoyed hunting deer and pheasants as well as fishing on the Great Lakes. He is survived by his wife of 75 years; Betty J. Nelson, four children; Betty “Joyce” (Earl) Ware, Diane (Jon) Keillor, Kenneth (Alyce) Nelson, and H. Ronald (Linda) Nelson all of Bear Lake, grandchildren; Natalie, Julie, Paula, Eryn, Kenneth, H. Ronald, Shawn, Lisa, & Karen as well as several great grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by four sisters; Phyllis Johnson, Faye Fredricks, Carol Peterson, and Dawn Smith, and by one brother; Virsil Nelson. Memorial Services for Harlan E. Nelson will be held Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 11:00 AM at the Bear Lake United Methodist Church will Reverend Jane Logston officiating. Final interment will be in Fairview Cemetery in Bear Lake. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 AM until time of service. Memorials in Harlan’s name may be directed to the Bear Lake United Methodist Church. Please visit Harlan’s personal page of memories at www.oakgrovefh.com to share a story or photo. The family has entrusted the Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center with funeral arrangements.