Auburn – Louis I. Nelson, 96, of Auburn went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, September 8, 2016. Born October 28, 1919, in Sumner, Missouri, he was the youngest son of Andrew and Minnie (Belcher) Nelson. He married Waneta Sharp on June 3, 1945, and she survives. Other survivors include daughter, Marianne (Joey) Neal of Blackstock, South Carolina; and son, Stephen Louis of Auburn; three grandchildren; ten great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Howard and Francis Nelson of Butler; a sister, Christina Bumgerdner; also of Butler; and two daughters, Sally Naylor and Anne Louise Nelson. Louis graduated from Butler High School in 1938. He volunteered to serve in the United States Army during the Second World War, serving in the European Theater of Operations as a combat Engineer. In December 1944, he and his entire unit were captured during the opening days of the Battle of the Bulge. He remained a prisoner of war until April 1945, serving until November 1945. Sincere and heartfelt love of his country remained important to him throughout his life. He began working at Dana Corporation in Auburn in 1942 and returned to that job following his military service. He retired in 1982 as a journeyman millwright after 40 years. Louis was the author of An American Soldier Remembers 1943 – 1945 published in 2011, which detailed his wartime experiences both as a soldier and as a prisoner of war. He felt honored to serve the country he loved. He was a member of the American Legion, Veteran of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and American Ex-Prisoners of War, but as a born-again Christian, his membership in the family of God was most important to him. Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Feller and Clark Funeral Home, 1860 Center St., Auburn, with the Rev. Richard Pickard officiating. Burial will take place in Roselawn Cemetery with military honors conducted by the United States Army and American Legion Post 97 of Auburn. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday prior to the service at the funeral home. Preferred memorials are to American Legion Post 97 of Auburn, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 43 in Garrett, or DeKalb Health Home Care and Hospice in Auburn. To send condolences, visit www.fellerandclark.com.