Marcella Nelson, Wife of Former Pest Control Editor Jim Nelson, Passes Away

Cleveland — Marcella S. Nelson, wife of the late Jim Nelson, passed away this fall. She was 90.

Marcella was the wife of Jim Nelson, the long-time publisher of Pest Control magazine. Jim Nelson was widely respected for his business acumen and professional expertise.
 
Marcella was an honorably discharged veteran of the Women's Army Corps and gave 13 years of service to the American Red Cross. She passed away Sept. 22.

Pi Chi Omega, the professional pest management fraternity, named Jim Nelson its first executive director 1974 and the group’s first lifetime membership was awarded to Nelson in 1980. He was a member since the fraternity’s earliest days and he served in many capacities for more than 30 years. "Not only was he a real professional," Purdue’s John Osmun says, "but he took great interest in Pi Chi Omega and really shepherded it through a number of difficult years. He was persistent in making sure the fraternity was run right."

In 1979, Nelson announced his retirement from his position as executive director of the fraternity, having provided 30 years of distinguished service in a variety of capacities. The role of executive director was turned over to Dr. William Jackson.