Sonia Gail Nelson Ehlinger
In Loving Memory
Sonia Gail Nelson Ehlinger, age 82, of Wentzville, Missouri, passed away on December 6, 2025. (Prior to moving to Wentzville, MO, Sonia lived in Nashua, NH and then Arlington, TX.)
Born on January 30, 1943, in Rochester, New York, Sonia was the beloved daughter of Paul and Phebe Nelson. Sonia served in the United States Marine Corp and was the first woman Honor Graduate to receive the Leatherneck Dress Blue Uniform Award. Sonia graduated from New Hampshire College and went on to obtain her CPA license. She worked in accounting throughout her career. Sonia had a love for crafting and spent countless hours sewing, knitting, and crocheting. She was a very accomplished seamstress and had clients that included dancers for the Dallas Maverick basketball team. She also enjoyed bowling and cherished the opportunity to compete in the sport.
She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Chuck Hesselink of Amsterdam, NY; her sister and brother-in-law Gloria and Bob Hopkins of Milford, NH; daughter and son-in-law Janet and Wes Burch of Winfield, MO; son and daughter-in-law, James and Dawn Ehlinger of Justin, TX; daughter and son-in-law Juliet and David Garner of Grand Prairie, TX; grandchildren, Katherine Petty, Lauryn Farrah, Marissa Henry, Natasha Graham, Jacob Dollar, and Kaylee Dollar; as well as several great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Robert (Bobby) Ehlinger, and her brother, Frank Nelson.
Sonia’s legacy lives on in the hearts of her family and friends, and she will be deeply missed but forever remembered. Services will be held on Saturday January 31st 2026 at Church 360 in Grand Prairie, Texas at 3 PM CST in the chapel.