Carnival & Fair Buzz

Timothy Nelson, 67, passed away Saturday, May 17, 2025 with family by his side after a vigorous battle with cancer. He was born February 11, 1958 in Aurora, IL. To Arthur and Elaine Nelson.

Tim worked for Chicago based Windy City Amusements as an office manager for the last 45 years, working primarily on the shows second unit, along side Mark Salerno and his family.

Tim lived a full life packed with love, adventure, and mischief. There was nothing in this world that he loved more than children. He dedicated his life to creating memories for others while working on a carnival midway for 50+ years. Tim valued honesty, loyalty, freedom, hard work and his sobriety (13 years). Tim enjoyed watching baseball, especially the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears football games, NASCAR races, and mob and western movies. He loved listening to music, motorcycles, watching TV, eating good food, being on a packed midway, and spending time with his grandchildren and family.


Tim is survived by his sister Martha (Gary) Ford, children Tony (Anne) Brandt, Samantha Nelson, Manda (Alex) Stuck, Britani (Sam) Young, Grandchildren Wyatt and Logan Brant, Chloe Nelson and Aaliyah Beatty, Zenon and Hazel Stuck, and former wife, mother of Tony and Samantha, and good friend Chris Nelson. He is a beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews. Tim is preceded in death by life partner and mother of Manda and Britani, Danette Burghardt, parents Arthur Nelson Jr. and Elaine Nelson (Kneipper), and his older sister Maureen Faul.