Nelson L. Llewellyn

CHAMPION - Nelson L. Llewellyn, 97, passed away on January 15, 2015, under hospice care in his home in the presence of his loving family. Nelson was born on August 28, 1917, in Warren, the son of the late Lewis W. Llewellyn and Christine (Shoenberger) Llewellyn.

Nelson was a graduate of Braceville High School and Kent State University. Nelson served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the 46th Bomber Group receiving the American Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and World War II Victory Medal before receiving an honorable discharge and the rank of Corporal.

Before World War II, he was employed by Peerless Electric in Warren and the Goodyear Aircraft Corporation in Akron. After the war he was employed as an industrial engineer at Republic Steel in Warren and Niles, retiring in 1982. He then served as the Executive Secretary of Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association of America from 1978 until 1998.

Nelson devoted a large part of his life to music. From the time Nelson was a small child and showed an interest and aptitude in music, his parents encouraged him to pursue it. He studied voice with the Rev. Dr. W. Frederick Miller of Youngstown State University. Additionally, he was a proficient trumpet player performing in the mid 30's with the Warren Jr. Military Band under the direction of Charles Corlett. As a young man he competed in and won several annual Welsh Eisteddfod voice competitions in Trumbull County. Joining the First Presbyterian Church's Motet Choir in his teens, he was proud to be a member of the choir for more than 80 years as well as being a frequent soloist. He was a member of the church for over 80 years and a member of the Board of Elders for several decades.

He performed many solos with the W.D. Packard Band from the mid 50's through the mid 80's. Additionally, he has performed in a myriad of choral groups, oratorios, and Gymanfas in northeastern Ohio and Pennsylvania. In 1976, he was honored to be a soloist at the 1976 Bi-Centennial National Gymanfa Ganu in Philadelphia, PA. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of The Welsh Home in Rocky River.

He was an officer of the St. David's Society of Youngstown and the Niles Gymanfa Ganu Association for many years, as well as being named the society's Welsh Man of the Year in 1990. In 1994 he was presented the Heritage Medallion by the National Welsh American Foundation. He was a 33rd Degree Mason, having been a member of Old Erie Lodge #3 F & AM, Commandery #79 Knights Templar, Scottish Rite Valley of Youngstown, Shriners, and Opal Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star.

Memories of Nelson will be carried on by daughters and sons-in-law, Gwen and Phil Bushey of East Canton and Nancy and Ralph Oliver of Champion; five grandchildren, David Bushey of Gahanna, Bryan (Carrie) Stehura of Louisville, Elizabeth (Jillian Hauger) Bushey of Akron, Stacie (Jason) Oliver-Shevokas of Annapolis, MD, and Shannon Oliver of Orlando, FL; eight great-grandchildren, Susannah, Reese, and Chase Bushey, Andrew and Joey Stehura, Sanura Oliver, and Ainsleigh and Kellen Shevokas.

Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by his first wife, Gertrude Jones Llewellyn in 1975, and his second wife, Elizabeth J. Llewellyn in 1997.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 21, 2015, from 12 noon - 1:00 pm in the parlor of the First Presbyterian Church, 256 Mahoning Ave NW, Warren. Masonic services will be conducted at 11:45 am just prior to the visitation. A Funeral Service will be at 1:00 pm at the church with Rev. Rusty Cowden officiating. Burial will follow at Pineview Memorial Park with full military honors.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Hospice of the Valley, First Light Home Care, and Windsor House of Champion. Their care and support was a great comfort during a most difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to The Welsh Home, 22199 Center Ridge Rd, Rocky River, Ohio 44116 or the Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market St, Youngstown, Ohio 44512.

Arrangements are entrusted to McFarland and Son Funeral and Cremation Services Co, 271 North Park Avenue, Warren, OH 44481, 330-393-9621. Please visit www.McFarlandCares.com to view this obituary, and send condolences.