Nelson Lecount

Nelson Brian LeCount, 84, passed away Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at his Wawaka home.

Nelson was born February 5, 1940, at McCray Memorial Hospital, Kendallville, IN, to the late Paul G. and Helen K. (Yeager) LeCount.

He was a 1959 graduate of Wawaka High School.  Nelson served in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1962, stationed for most of that time in Germany.

He married Joy Y. Cotner on December 31, 1961, at Wawaka United Methodist Church. She survives.

Also surviving are their daughter JoNel Renea and her husband Jeffrey David Kurtz of Wawaka. A grandchild “Georgie” Amelia Kurtz of Louisville, KY, and his sister, Paulette and her husband Garry Dowden, and several cousins.

Nelson was a member of Wawaka United Methodist and attended Brimfield UMC in recent years. He was currently on the Elkhart Township Advisory Board where he served for over 32 years.

As a young man Nelson worked for Fra-Hib Farm in Wawaka, and for Max Sperry Ford in Ligonier.  After his military service he was employed by Sorg Products, Inc., Ligonier. In the mid-1960s he started farming. He was well known as the owner of LeCount Strawberry Farm, where for 30 years he employed and mentored many area youth while producing top-quality berries.

In addition to farming, Nelson operated J & L Janitorial Service and Nelson’s Drywall and Painting. From 2011 to 2022, he traveled throughout the U.S. and Canada delivering recreational trailers, operating as NBL Trucking.

His hobby was collecting antique tractors and other farm equipment. At one point he owned 58 tractors. His last interest was two models manufactured for The Oliver Corporation in England by David Brown Tractors, Ltd. He had maintained a registry of those tractors since 2016. He was able to visit the manufacturing location in Meldham, England in 2018.

Nelson was a charter member of the Hart-Parr Oliver Collector’s Association (HPOCA) of which he had served as membership chair. As a member of The Oliver Gang, he was honored, along with his wife, as the Oliver Gang’s Family of the Year in 2023. Locally, he belonged to Noble County Gas & Steam Association and several other tractor clubs.

Operating his sawmill during Noble County Gas & Steam Association’s annual show, Albion Harvest Fest and several other area events was another of his passions for several years.

Nelson was privileged to go on Honor Flight of Northeast Indiana’ Flight 44 September 13, 2023, accompanied by his daughter as guardian. He called that experience one of his lifetime highlights.

The family wishes to express our sincere appreciation for the thoughtful caring and quality service Nelson received from Stillwater Hospice staff - especially Brooke, Amy, Tina and Mike.

Visitation will take place from 3-8 p.m. on Friday, October 25th at Yeager Funeral Home, 1589 Lincolnway S, Ligonier, Indiana.

Interment will take place at Oaklawn Cemetery, Ligonier Indiana, at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 26th prior to the Celebration of Life, which will take place at 11:30 a.m. at Brimfield United Methodist Church, Brimfield, IN. Pastors Jerry Burghduff and Matt Bock, and Chaplain Mike Baker will officiate.

Memorials may be directed to Brimfield United Methodist Church, Wawaka High School Alumni Scholarship Fund held by Community Foundation of Noble County or Wonder Universe Children’s Museum, 782 New River Rd Ste 812, Christiansburg, VA 24073.