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Delt note |
Rev. John B. Nielson
Obituary Rev. John Bechtold Nielson entered heaven on June 29, 1997 from his home in Waterville, Vermont. His death at 79 was due to complications from cancer. He was born February 26, 1918 in Darby Pennsylvania to Rev. John and Estelle Nielson. Mr. Nielson graduated from Eastern Nazarene College, Nazarene Theological Seminary, and Brown University. He also did graduate work at the University of Vermont and Boston University. In 1942, he married Marguerite Helene Mann of Waterville, Vermont. They began their ministry in Johnson, Vermont. Later pastorates included Yarmouth, Maine; Ottawa, Kansas; West Somerville, Massachusetts; Pawtucket, Rhode Island; and Lowell, Massachusetts. In 1965, he was asked to become the founding Rektor of European Nazarene Bible College in Busingen, by Schaffhausen Switzerland. Upon returning to the United States in 1969, he served on the Religion Faculty at Mount Vernon Nazarene College and was the founding pastor of the Lakeholm Church of the Nazarene in Mount Vernon, Ohio. He accepted an assignment at Nazarene International Headquarters in Kansas City in 1972 where he served as Editorial Director for Adult Ministries until his retirement in 1983. John and Marguerite moved to Waterville, Vermont in 1984 and built Cardinal Crest, their retirement home. He maintained a busy schedule in his local church and in the community until a few months before his death. In these retirement years, he kept active with his writing projects, preaching in numerous local churches, teaching at Caribbean Nazarene Theological College, and speaking at NIROGA - Schroon Lake, Windsor Hills camp, and other conferences and retreats. A prolific author and composer, Mr. Nielsons published books included: In Christ, The Towel and the Cross, Family Love in All Dimensions, and numerous contributions to scholarly journals, commentaries, and periodicals. For two years he was the writer for Peloubets Notes, an interdenominational Sunday School resource. In addition to his musical compositions, Rev. Nielson was an accomplished cellist, frequently joining community orchestras and string ensembles where he lived. He and his wife, Marguerite were the parents of four children who all serve in the Christian Ministry:(John M. and his wife Janice of Manila Philippines; Merritt J. and his wife Linda of, Quincy, Massachusetts; Patricia L. Parker and her husband Ronald, of Salisbury, Maryland; and William B. and his wive Susan , of Painesville, Ohio. In addition to his wife, his children and their spouses, Mr. Nielson is survived by 12 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren; a sister Alice Kauffman of Arcadia California; and two brothers, Robert of Dallas Texas, and Joseph of Bourbonnais, Illinois. A sister Marion and brother David predeceased him. His is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews around the country Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 2 at the Church of the Nazarene in Johnson Vermont. Viewing hours are July 1, 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Church of the Nazarene in Waterville. Interment will be in the Mountain View Cemetery, Waterville, VT. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a memorial scholarship fund through the Waterville Church of the Nazarene.
ADDENDUM
During his final days, John Nielson was seldom conscious. However, he rallied occasionally and made the following statements:
In the dark tunnel of the last few months, the one sure foundation has been
the cross of Christ.
It is the blood of Christ. Nothing else matters
I want everyone to know that everything is fine.
The name of Jesus is so sweet.
Im passing from glory to glory. And on two occasions in the final hours,
Dying grace.
His son John described his passing as follows.
At 1:30 am, with mother and all his children around the bed, we prayed together and committed Dad to God, asking that Gods angels would come and carry him gently home. We decided to take turns holding vigil by his bedside through the night. At 2:10, we were called beck to his bedside because he had suddenly awakened. I took him by the hand and said, Janice and I have made it home to be with you. Can you understand me? He squeezed my hand firmly in reply. Are you aware of the presence of the Lord? He firmly squeezed again. Do you have peace in your heart and mind? At that point he looked beyond me with eyes fixed heavenward and took his final breath. Music had been playing softly in the background. As he died, we heard the words.
Just as I am without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come! And so, at 2:15 am, he was finally, and fully, In Christ. John Wesly was right. Those who truly know God, die well.
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