Martha E. Ray

Martha E. “Marty” Ray, 83, of Bishop Hill, died Thursday, January 22, 2026 at her home.

Martha descended from two families that emigrated from Sweden in 1846. She was born on February 28, 1942 in Kewanee, the daughter of Charles and Josephine (Milliken) Nelson Jr. Survivors include her son, Andrew Ray, her nieces and nephews; Missy (Todd) Merkel, Kelly (Chris) Craig, Jennifer Nelson (Peter Burgess) and Amy (Tim) White, several cousins including Janene Blodgett (Lou Lourdeau) whom she had a special relationship with, and many lifelong Bishop Hill friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Ronald Nelson and her sister-in-law, Dina Nelson.

Marty grew up in Bishop Hill; her father owned the Mobile Gas Station which is now the Filling Station and next door was her grandfather’s blacksmith shop. Marty would say that “growing up in Bishop Hill was a great environment for all of us kids, we couldn’t get in trouble because the adults were always watching us.” “It takes a village and that was Bishop Hill.” She attended grade school at the Colony School in Bishop until its closing in 1952. She graduated from Galva High School in 1960 and attended cosmetology school in Moline. She worked various jobs over the years including as a cosmetologist and for the County Highway Department in Florida. Upon returning to Bishop Hill, she worked for Livek Trucking and the State of Illinois as a seasonal interpreter and tour guide at the Bishop Hill Historical Sites.

She was a lifelong member of the Bishop Hill Community United Methodist Church where she was chairman of the trustees for several years. She was a member of the Bishop Hill Old Settlers Association, Bishop Hill Heritage Association and the Prairie Queen Quilt Club. Marty enjoyed genealogy and was an expert on the history of Bishop Hill. She had a love for animals, but most of all she loved her family and cherished the time spent together.

Cremation will be accorded. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 28 at Bishop Hill Cemetery with Pastor Rebecca Gearhart officiating. A Celebration of her Life and luncheon will follow the service from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at the Colony School in Bishop Hill. Memorials may be directed to the Bishop Hill Old Settlers Association, Bishop Hill Heritage Association or to the Kewanee Animal Shelter. Rux Funeral Home in Galva is assisting the family with arrangements.

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