Raymond A. Nelson age 85, of rural Gilson, Illinois, died at 2:30 a.m. on April 11, 2026 at Knox County Nursing Home.
Raymond was born on June 15, 1940, in rural Maquon/Gilson to Elwood and Mae (Pruitt) Nelson. He married Lynda Hutchison on November 21, 1959 at the United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Illinois.
He is survived by his children, Kenneth Nelson of Gilson, Pam Churn of Galesburg; grandchildren, Shawntee, Shawntil, Kimm, and Ranastatia “Rana” and 15 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Lynda; one son Randy Nelson, and his parents.
Raymond was educated in Knoxville, Illinois and graduated from Knoxville High School. He worked as a tool and die maker, as well as farming. He was a member of the Union, the Farm Bureau and the Knox County Triad.
Cremation rites have been accorded. Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 11 a.m. to noon with a Funeral Service following at noon. Memorials may be made out to St. Jude. Online condolences or expressions of sympathy may be made through hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com.
