Donald Lee Nelson, 65, of Savoy died at 7:43 a.m. Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. He was born June 2, 1941. When he was a toddler he became very ill. This may have contributed to his mental & physical disabilities. He work hard and in 1962 he graduated from Champaign High School.

He delivered newspapers for The News Gazette for many years. After breaking his leg in a bicycle accident, he took a job washing dishes for Walgreens in downtown Champaign. He continued to work for Walgreens (Wags) when it moved to Marketplace Mall. His favorite past time always was riding the Champaign-Urbana MTD. He became the unofficial new driver helper. When a new driver was hired, Donnie would ride right behind the new driver and help them with their route. In 1989, his dreams came true. He became the MTD's first disabled employee when he was hired to wash the bus stop cubicles. He retired in 1998. Don had been living at Carle Arbores in Savoy since late 2002.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Madonna Barham. He is survived by his father Hance Nelson of Urbana, one sister Donna Ditler of Chandler, AZ and four brothers Hans "Chris" Nelson of Gainesville, FL, John Nelson of Hebron, IN, Ron Pellum of Chandler, AZ, and Craig Nelson of Urbana. He was very proud of his six nephews and two nieces.

He was an avid Illini and Chicago White Sox fan and loved Country Music.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 31, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at St. Patrick's Parish Center in the Multi-Purpose Room, 708 W. Main St., Urbana. Memorials can be made to Special Olympics Illinois, 605 E. Willow Street, Normal, IL 61761-2682.