Our Family and Staff
The Nelson family roots run deep in Oswego, NY. Bill Nelson founded Nelson Funeral Home more than 46 years ago, with passion in his heart, to provide a higher level of service for families in mourning.
Bill's commitment to excellence now extends to a 2nd generation, as his children carry on his legacy in the family business. While the funeral-service industry has evolved through the years, one virtue Nelson Funeral Home holds steadfast is their commitment to putting the needs of the family first. The Nelson team works tirelessly behind the scenes so the family of the loved one can focus on healing.
The Nelson family strives to dispel any myths regarding funeral services. They take great pride in offering full transparency of their processes with customized services that ensure each family’s needs are met with care and compassion.
Having experienced a tragic loss in their own family, the Nelsons connect with their clients from a place of sincerity and empathy.
When you entrust the care of your loved one to Nelson Funeral Home, you can take comfort in knowing the needs of your family will always come first.
The Nelson Funeral Home family and staff are caring and experienced professionals who understand that each family is unique. We are here to fulfill your personal requests and traditions. Your needs are of the utmost importance to us. We want to help make your experience personalized and meaningful.
Leonard William Nelson Jr.
Licensed Funeral Director/Owner
Bill is a 1964 graduate of Simmons School of Funeral Service. He began his residency at Hedges Memorial Chapel in Rochester, NY and after being newly licensed was drafted into the Army. He served in Vietnam with the 25th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Mortuary collecting point. Upon returning from Vietnam, Nelson worked for two years with the Powers Funeral Home in Jamestown, NY. He returned to Oswego in 1970 and worked locally as a funeral director before purchasing the Loescher Funeral Home in 1974. Nelson established his funeral home at 124 West 5th Street where he has owned, operated, and grown his business for more than 46 years. In 2005, he opened his newest location at 11 West Albany Street in Oswego, New York.
John L. Nelson
Licensed Funeral Director/Operations Manager
John Nelson is a 1996 Oswego High School graduate. He graduated from Arizona State University in 2000 with a dual Bachelors's degree in both Communications and Business. He earned his degree from Simmons Institute of Funeral Service in 2001 and served his year residency for his father at Nelson Funeral Home. John is currently a Licensed Funeral Director for Nelson Funeral Home. He is a member of the ELKS #271, and Knights of Columbus #227, Oswego Lion's Club, the National Funeral Director's Association and the New York State Funeral Director's Association. In 2006, he received Oswego County's Business 40 under 40 award, honoring him as one of Oswego County's Business and Community Leaders. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Greater Oswego County.
Aimee Nelson Callen
Office Manager
Aimee is a 1990 graduate of Oswego High School and a 1994 Graduate of LeMoyne College. She graduated with a BA in English with a minor in Communications. She moved to Scottsdale Arizona after graduation and went on to earn her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction at Arizona State University. She taught middle and high school English for the Scottsdale Unified School District during her 7-year residence in Arizona. She later moved back to New York, married her husband Sean, taught in Oswego High School, and then McGraw Central School before starting her family. They finally moved back to Oswego in 2006, to raise their family in their hometown. After working as a stay at home mom for many years, along with managing their rental properties Aimee, with pride and happiness, decided to join the family business to work alongside her brother and their dad.
She has been extremely involved in the Oswego community since moving back in 2006. She dreamed up and initiated the Halloween Parade for local families on Burden Drive, volunteered for Oswego Harborfest, and served on the Oswego YMCA Board of Directors. She was also elected to the BOE of the Oswego City School District and served a three-year term with two as the President. She currently volunteers for the Buc Boosters and stays involved in her three children's busy and exciting lives.
Aimee has been on the Nelson Funeral Home Team since October 2018.
Joseph E. Heppell
Licensed Funeral Director
Joseph E. Heppell
Licensed Funeral Director
Joe is a 2003 graduate of G. Ray Bodley High School in Fulton. He went on to attend and graduate from SUNY Oswego State in 2008 with a Bachelors Degree and MBA in Accounting. After working in the accounting field for a number of years and working part time for various funeral homes Joe decided to obtain his funeral directors license. He earned his degree in 2020 from American Academy McAllister Institute in NYC. Joe is an avid sports fan and follows many sports, especially UNC Basketball. Joe joined the Nelson Funeral Home in August of 2023.
