Nellie Holcomb

Nellie L. Holcomb, 95, of Grand Rapids, formerly of Belding, passed away Wednesday morning, July 4, 2018 at the Heather Hills Retirement Village in Grand Rapids. Nellie was born on July 23, 1922 in Springfield, IL, the daughter of Rueben Springer Brown and Mary Edna (Troupe) Brown.

Nellie graduated from Divernon High School in IL. After graduation, Nellie proudly joined the US Navy in 1942, taking her basic training at Hunter College in New York. She was later stationed for 2 years in Arlington, VA. After the war, Nellie was married on May 14, 1950 in Springfield to Edwin W. Holcomb. After their marriage, she and Edwin moved to Chicago where Nellie worked for Swift Ice Cream Company, Multool Ice Cream and later at the Fields Museum. In 1961 she and Edwin moved to Belding. She was a longtime member of 57 years at the First Baptist Church in Belding. She enjoyed being a mom and raising her two daughters. In 2012 Nellie moved to Grand Rapids, living at Heather Hills Retirement Village. Nellie had a love of country, her family and always had a distinct opinion on things. She received, from the Olive Garden Restaurant on 28th St. in Grand Rapids, “The Never Ending Pasta Bowl”. Nellie loved and looked forward to her weekly meals at the Olive Garden. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Nellie is loved and survived by her daughter Deborah (Richard) Cameron of Caledonia, her grandchildren; Kristin (Jacob) Rey, Taylor (Dan) Oles, Eric (Camille) Cameron, Courtney Patterson and Kaitlin Patterson, her great grandson William Oles, nephews; Tom Kieskowski and Manford Brown. Nellie was preceded in death by her parents, husband Edwin in 2012, daughter Denise Patterson in 2013, nephew Jack Kieskowski and siblings; William Brown, Elizabeth Tomlinson and Mike Brown.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Monday July 9, 2018 at the First Baptist Church, Belding with Pastor Mike Simmons officiating. Visitation will be Sunday evening from 2:00-4:00 PM at Johnson-Feuerstein, Belding and one hour before the service at the church. Committal prayers and full military honors will follow the funeral in River Ridge Cemetery, Belding. Memorials may be given to the First Baptist Church, Belding.  

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