Martha Ellen King, age 89, of Aledo, passed away Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Allure of Lake Storey Nursing Home, Galesburg, Illinois.

Funeral services will be Monday, April 20th at 10:00 at Nichols Bewley Funeral and Cremation Services, Aledo, Illinois. Burial will be at Hamlet Cemetery.

Visitation for Martha will be Sunday, April 19th, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the funeral home.

Memorials may be left to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or Mercer County Relay for Life.

Martha was born December 18, 1936, in Seaton, Illinois, the daughter of Louis and Gladys (Hood) Whitehall.

She married Wayne King on July 25, 1952, in Rock Island County, Illinois. He preceded her in death in 2018.

In early years after marrying Wayne she and her sisters-in-law, Wilma King and Lois King had a lunch stand at several farm sales. They were well known for their delicious homemade pies. Martha's favorite thing to do was to spend time with her family. She also enjoyed crocheting, reading, playing Yahtzee and bingo until her eyesight failed her. Loved listening to REAL country music as she called it.

Martha is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Cliff (Debbie) King of Joy; daughter and son-in-law, Laura (Larry) Diehl of Aledo; grandchildren, Jennifer (Jeff) Howard of Wall Lake, IA, Jason (Michelle) King of Reynolds; five great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren with one lovingly on the way; brother, Christopher (Debbie) Whitehall; sister, Susan Jensen, all of Wisconsin; brother-in-law, Kenny Osborn of Bettendorf, IA; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Audrey and Jim Giberson of New London, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death, her parents; husband; son, Christopher in 2006; brothers and sisters-in-law, Don (Colleen) Whitehall, Jim (Billie Jane) Whitehall; sisters and brothers-in-law, Cintra (Ralph) Brewer, Dora Osborn; infant brother, Denzil Whitehall; brother, John Whitehall; sister, Ellen Whitehall; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Keith and Wilma King, Warren and Lois King, Aubrey and Martha J. King, Alfred King; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Muriel and Pat Carey, Maxine and Bob Stegall; and several nieces and nephews.