Maxwell A. Nelms, age 80, of Bartley departed this life December 13, 2009 at the Cambridge Hospital of oesophageal cancer.
He was born to Marvin Arthur and Ruth Eleanor (Liston) Nelms on their farm south of Indianola, Nebraska on February 13, 1929. He received his grade school education at rural schools in Red Willow County graduating from McCook High School with the class of 1946.
Max married Dona J. O'Dea on September 16, 1950 in McCook. He served in the army during the Korean War, from 1951 to 1953 and was a member of American Legion Post William Wight # 245 and the VFW Post # 7030.
Max and Dona moved to a farm west of Bartley in 1953 and in 1962 to their farm north of Bartley. He was active in the Bartley Christian Church as an Elder, Sunday School leader and choir member. He was also active as a county and state officer in the Wheatgrowers and Pork Producers, raising prize winning cattle and hogs. He was involved in conservation and served on the board of the Dry Creek Pilot Watershed as the first area watershed was organized and structures built around Bartley. He was secretary of the Hillcrest Nursing Home Board for twenty years.
The McCook Junior Chamber of Commerce named him Outstanding Young Farmer in recognition for his service to community and farm organizations. He participated in area co-operatives and enjoyed his son's activities in school and 4-H and continued to follow the activities of his grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his parents and one sister, Eleanor Carter.
Funeral services were on Saturday, December 19, 2009, 11:00 a.m. at the Bartley Christian Church with Mike Searcey officiating. Burial took place in the Bartley Cemetery.
Carpenter Breland Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Max Nelms, please visit our flower store.