DAVENPORT — Funeral services to celebrate the life of Wayne A. Nelson, 75, a resident of Davenport, will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 4, 2015, in the All Faith Chapel at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, 614 Main St., downtown Davenport. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park. The family will greet friends Sunday, May 3, 2015, at the funeral home from 1 until 4 p.m.

Wayne died peacefully Wednesday, April 29, 2015, at University Hospitals, Iowa City. He was surrounded by his loving family and died following a courageous battle after suffering a massive heart attack on March 18, 2015.

Wayne Arthur Nelson was born June 1, 1939, in Davenport, a son of Harry Arthur and Agnes Mildred (Olson) Nelson. He graduated from Davenport Central High School, class of 1957, and attended St. Ambrose College Engineering Program. He was united in marriage to Marlene K. Farley on Aug. 23, 1958, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Davenport. They have been blessed with over 56 years of marriage. Wayne graduated from Muscatine Community College and Scott Community Campus, with a degree in Law Enforcement. He graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Department of Justice, National Police Academy, Quantico, Va., in 1979. He attended additional training at Northwestern University and the University of Northern Iowa.

Wayne began a nearly 40-year career in law enforcement, retiring from the Davenport Police Department on Dec. 8, 2000, as Chief of Police. During his career, Wayne was known for his dedication, patience and fairness. Wayne’s philosophy on police management was, “it is an art and science of predicting, organizing, directing and controlling people and things you have to work with to meet law enforcement’s objectives to protect and serve the citizens of Davenport.” He served as a Major in the Davenport Police Department for many years prior to being appointed Chief of Police.

He continued to serve as an Audit Committee Chairperson for the Davenport Police Credit Union, Treasurer of the Davenport Police Retirees Association and served many years on the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. He is a member of the Iowa State Police Association, Federal Bureau of National Academy Associates, Iowa Chapter, Davenport Police Retirees Association, St. Patrick’s Society, the Loyal Order of Moose, Monday Afternoon Lunch Group and Club 57.

Wayne loved to spend time with his loving family and many friends. He especially cherished the time he spent with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Wayne also enjoyed traveling. Since his retirement, he and Mar have taken numerous trips with friends, both old and new, following their favorite Irish Singers, “Stephens Green”.

The family would like to express their most sincere thanks to the doctors and staff of Cardiovascular Medicine, Genesis Medical Centers and the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at the University of Iowa. The family feels that all of you went above and beyond in your heroic attempts to help Wayne recover. They also want to thank the many special friends in the Davenport Police Department, the Iowa State Police Associate friends, as well as their close friends, for all their support, prayers and encouragement.

Memorials in Wayne’s name may be given to the American Heart Association.

Those left to honor his memory include his beloved wife, Marlene; his daughters, Barbara (Mike) VanOpdorp, Atkinson, Ill., and Wendy Sue Nelson (and Walt Nielsen); grandchildren, Michelle (Adam), Nicholas, Nicole, Nathan and Cassie; great-grandchildren, Brooklynn, Michael, Collyn, and great-granddaughter, Aralyn, soon to be born; sisters, Diane (Stan) Berodt and Janet (Jim) Muhs; brothers, Dick (Marsha) Nelson and Bob (Sandy) Nelson, all of Davenport; his father-in-law, Merle James Farley; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a son in infancy, Bradley Arthur Nelson. May they rest in peace.

Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Wayne’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.