Raymond E. Nelson

Raymond E. Nelson, 89, of Moline, Illinois, died Saturday, May 1, 2021, at home.

Services are 11:00 a.m. Thursday in the Horizon Room at Trimble Funeral Home at Trimble Pointe, 701 12th Street, Moline, with The. Rev. Michael Swartz officiating. Visitation is one hour prior to services. Burial is in Rock Island National Cemetery, where the Moline American Legion Post #246 will present military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Congregational Church, Moline, or the Scott County Humane Society.

Raymond Edward Nelson was born March 26, 1932, in Sherrard, Illinois, to Reynold and Katharine (Hausch) Nelson. He graduated from Sherrard High School and the Moline Institute of Commerce. He also served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and went on to marry Sheila Rae Behm on August 24, 1957, in Davenport, Iowa.

Ray worked at John Deere Foundry for over 27 years, retiring in May of 1986. He was a member of First Congregational Church, volunteered with River Action, and was a counselor for Trinity SHIP. He enjoyed being with friends, walking, reading, and woodcarving. Above all else, family was the most important thing to Ray, and he especially loved watching his grandchildren’s sporting and other events.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Sheila; two daughters, Marcia (Craig) Johnson of Bettendorf, Iowa, and Lori Willhite (Jim Franks) of East Moline; grandchildren, Kirsten (Emanuel Mendes) Johnson of Coralville, Iowa, Bryce Johnson of Waterloo, Iowa, Alex Willhite of Westmont, Illinois, Erin (Ethan) Lafary of Kirkwood, Illinois, and Austen Willhite of Moline; a great-grandson, Henry Luke Lafary; and a sister-in-law, Phyllis (Gary) Ammeter of Blue Grass, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant daughter, Amy Rae Nelson.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.