Late Chicago activist Alan Nelles [Photo by Ann Scheidler]
It’s with a heavy heart that I report that longtime Chicago activist and sidewalk counselor Alan Nelles died last week of a heart attack.
It came a shock to us at the League since anyone who ever served on the streets with Alan knew how full of life he was.
Alan was one of a kind. He had a warm personality and knew all the League staff members’ families. He’d ask me at every event about my children by name even though he’d only met them a handful of times.
He had a host of eccentric hobbies, ranging from working on computers to an encyclopedic knowledge of the ’60s TV show The Avengers.
Nearly any time the League held a pro-life event, Alan was there, and his devotion to sidewalk counseling at the abortuary was second to none. God only knows how many people literally owe their lives to Alan and his dedication to protecting human life from abortion.
A Memorial Service will be held for him at St. John’s Lutheran Church at 4929 W. Montrose Ave in Chicago (map) this Wednesday, February 15 at 1:30 p.m. and all are welcome to join in remembering Alan and his legacy of life.
There will be a small gathering for folks to share memories of Alan before the start of the formal prayer service.
Pro-life activism in Chicago will never be the same. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
