Martha C. Willis

Trusting in the promise of resurrection and eternal life, we announce that Martha C. Willis passed from this life into eternal glory on November 11, 2026, entering into His everlasting peace, for “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).

Martha was born to Reverend Ellis M. and Winifred Prescott Mooney on November 10, 1943. She was raised in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, as her parents worked in ministry and established the Sheboygan Evangelical Free Church. Martha attended local Sheboygan Schools, who were also being established: Lincoln/Longfellow Elementary, Southside Junior High, then Central High/ South High School, graduating with the Class of 1961. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Taylor University in Upland, IN in 1965.

Martha married Martin James Willis on November 26, 1965, becoming the ultimate power couple of Marty and Marti. Martha excelled at her vocation as a Medical Technologist, certified as an ASCP. She worked at St. Nicholas Hospital (both locations!) from 1965 until 1990. At that time, she transitioned to a fulfilling role at Marsho Family Medical, which truly embodied her work family, from 1990 until her retirement in 2006.

Martha carried out her ministry within the Church and through her gift of worship music. She served as the Children’s Choir Director, Director of Children’s Musicals and Producer of Church Adult Dramas. She retired from official ministry duties after 10 years serving as Head Secretary of Awana. As a violinist, she proudly served as an accompanist to Sheboygan’s Men of Harmony. A source of great joy and lifelong friendship was formed through 50 years of duets, playing violin whilst her dear friend, Sharon Schmidt, improvised on the piano.

Martha’s most beloved role was that of mother and grandmother- serving meals to the hungry, hours of reading for literacy (mandatory lap-landing included), providing countless miles of travel through Grammy Taxi, and serving as “biggest fan” to each of her grands.

Martha was predeceased by her parents, Rev. Ellis M. and Winifred P. Mooney, her parents’ in-law, Joseph A. and Hettie M. (Cole) Willis, her nephew, Andrew David Bruno and niece, Linda Joy McCloud. She is survived by her husband of 59 years (would have been 60 years on November 26), Martin J. Willis, and siblings, Gretchen Rae (Ron) Bruno, and Yvonne Celeste Mooney, and Martin’s siblings, Beatrice Wolfe, John (Babs) Willis, and Louise Fletcher. She will be dearly missed by her children, Maria J. (Andrew) Meier, Monica J. (James) Rahn, and Marcella J. (Carl) BlomWillis. She is further survived by grandchildren, Austyn Meier, Cynthia (Drew) Carter, Isabel (Marcus) McClellan, Ashley, Matthew, and Jonathan Rahn; Alec, Nolan, Kalysta, Aiden, Aaron, Willie, Hazel, Mia and Landon BlomWillis; and Ronnie and Isaac Mooney, officially nephews, but grandkids by heart.

The family would like to share their sincerest thanks for the incredible care provided by the EMTs and Emergency Services staff at Aurora Sheboygan County Medical Center.

Please join the family in celebrating Martha’s life on Tuesday, November 24 at the Sheboygan eFree Church (1710 N 15th St, Sheboygan, WI 53081). There will be a time of visitation from 11am, up to the time of service at 1pm. All are welcome to view a livestream by visiting Martha’s obituary page at wenigfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Music Program of the Sheboygan eFree Church or Campus Life of Sheboygan County.

Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg is honored to serve the Willis family. Please visit wenigfh.com for more information.