Nehemias Buzon Velasco

Nehemias Buzon Velasco (“Nemi” to friends or “Lolo” to family), age 90, from Kettering, Ohio and Marco Island, Florida, passed away in Kettering, Ohio on May 31, 2025.

Lolo graduated from Philippine Union College (B.S., Accounting) in 1955 and married Adela Soberano in 1959. He and Adela (“Lola” to family) immigrated to the United States in 1961 and began their life in the United States in Illinois. Lolo continued his academic career at DePaul University and worked for St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago, while Lola completed her Masters Degree at the University of Illinois. Lolo and Lola moved to Centerville, Ohio in 1967 where they worked for Kettering Hospital. Lolo retired from Kettering Hospital after 36 years of service in 2003.

Lolo is preceded in death by sister Ellen (“Baby”) and is survived by Lola and family:
Sons - Nehemias (“Ned”) Velasco II, Jonathan (“Jon”) Velasco (wife Janet and children Sophia and Elaina), and Mark Velasco (wife Shannon and children Alexander (“Alec”) (wife Morgan), Adam (wife Anna Marie), Andrew (“Andy”), and Amy (husband Kyle)).
Siblings – Lily Bascon (husband Pat), Abner (wife Eleanor), Grace (husband Ross), Glady (husband Frendell), and Frank (wife Candy).

Lolo was never one to seek the spotlight. He lived his life as written in the Gospel of Mark, “Love the Lord with all your heart and soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.” His life was a model of service – service to his family, Kettering Hospital, Kettering Adventist Church, and to all who he felt needed help. When the Apostle Paul wrote of God’s people, he described them as filled with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience – these characteristics were the essence of Lolo.

Lolo enjoyed traveling and he and Lola traveled extensively, spending most of their winter months in Marco Island. Through the years, many of their trips were in support of their sons’ and grandchildrens’ schooling, sporting events, and performances – from generations of gymnastics and acrobatic competitions and performances, to golf tournaments and basketball games - even missions of mercy to their sons’ colleges to bring “care packages” of food and “laundry services.”

His legacy of service and devotion to family lives on with the extended Velasco family.

Lola and the Velasco family extend their deepest appreciation to Lolo’s hospice, dialysis, and physician care teams.

A Celebration of Life for Lolo will be held at Kettering Adventist Church on Saturday, July 5, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Good Neighbor House (goodneighborhouse.org).