Carole Nelson

Carole Nell Nelson, lovingly known as “Nan,” passed away on January 15, 2026, in her home. She was born on November 19, 1936, in McLuney, Ohio, to Naomi and Dwight Hinkle. Nan lived a life full of warmth, humor, and quiet strength. In her younger years, she was an accomplished bowler and softball player, often reminiscing about her days playing on the field across from her home, proudly coached by her husband. At just 16 years old, she married the love of her life, Warren “Sonny” Nelson, and together they built a beautiful life filled with family, laughter, and love.
Summers were spent in Canada with family. While she claimed she wasn’t the fisherman of the group, she somehow managed to catch the biggest walleye—and then cooked for everyone afterward. Speaking of fishing, her CB handle was famously “Chicken Lips,” while her husband went by “Fisherman.”
Nan loved her routines and her comforts. She loves her black coffee and diet caffeine free coke. Her front porch was her favorite place in the world. If she wasn’t there, you could find her watching game shows—especially Family Feud—court shows or allowing the Yankees (and any other sports) to take over the TV. She also had a soft spot for Jerry Springer and her late-night “dirty” movies, with On Golden Pond being her favorite. She never left the house without her chewing gum, lipstick or hanky in her pocket. She loved playing games with anyone willing to sit down: Aggravation, Phase 10, Skip-Bo, Rummy, Yahtzee, Chickenfoot, Euchre, and Farkle. When her grandkids came along, she especially loved porch time and playing games with Sonni or Ronni. After that she loved spending time with her granddaughter-in-law Jamie Dusenberry. She may not have wanted to do things that her great granddaughters would tell her to, but she always gave TikToks a try—especially with Sonni—and loved Snapchat filters that she said would “make her pretty.” She loved giving her grandson “Nathan” hell about the trashcans, leaves or the grass being mowed but always appreciated him for everything he did for her. Nan had a playful side—she loved using her middle finger but acted like she had never said a cuss word in her life. She claimed to never drink, yet somehow always ended up doing Jell-O shots or beer tastings at the Nateaplooza. She showed love through touch, always tickling or rubbing arms and backs, and making sure no one ever left her house hungry. She was the best cook at Nanny’s kitchen, known for dippy eggs, French toast, homemade noodles, and homemade ice cream. Nothing in Nan’s kitchen was ever bad. Nan is survived by grandchildren, Nate Nelson, Cayla Hill, her great-grandchildren; Ronni (Kyle) McGee, Ean Hill, Sonni Nelson (Kameron Savage), and Eli Hill; and her precious great-great-grandchild, her “pitty little girl,” Berkli McGee. She is proceeded in death by her husband; Warren (Sonny) Nelson, her mother Naomi Hinkle, her father Dwight Hinkle, her son Mark Nelson, her siblings; Marjorie Paskell, Mertie Bankes, Donna Hinkle, Roy Hinkle, Kay Vandemark and grandson-in-laws, Christopher Hill and Ryan Tedrow. Special thank you to the Nan sitters; Robin Fink, Pam Nelson, Rhonda Epifano, Connie Lyle and Vicky Nelson. Also thank you to the interim hospice team for their love and support throughout this journey. Above all, Nan will be remembered for her love of family, her porch conversations, her games, her cooking, and the way she made everyone feel welcome. Her legacy lives on in the stories told, the games played, and the meals shared—just the way she would have wanted. Calling hours will be held from 2pm – 5pm, Sunday January 18, 2026, at Ross-Frash Funeral Home, 207 Burley Street, Crooksville, where memories and stories are welcome to be shared beginning at 5pm. Cremation will follow and she will be laid to rest next to her husband, ‘Sonny” in New Lexington Community Gardens Cemetery. You may sign the online register book at www.ross-frashfuneralhomes.com