Published on December 17, 2025 2:49 pm
Last Updated on December 30, 2025 2:32 pm
Ray Nuxoll, 86, of Aurora, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home on December 16, 2025.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, January 3, 2026 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham with burial in St. Anthony Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Friday, January 2, 2026 at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham. Prior to the visitation, a Knights of Columbus Rosary will be prayed at 3:45 PM. Memorial donations may be given to St. Anthony Schools.
Ray was born in Effingham and grew up as one of six siblings. He attended St. Anthony Schools and developed a deep and lifelong devotion to his Catholic faith. He met the love of his life, Mary Lee, at a dance in Effingham, beginning a marriage filled with love, laughter, and companionship that spanned 67 wonderful years. Ray was beloved by family and friends alike, known for his warm personality and quick wit. Ray began his career working at his father’s business, Nuxoll’s Food Center, before going on to a successful sales career that spanned more than 50 years. He retired in 2009. Ray enjoyed golfing, playing tennis, “cheating” at cards, and playing practical jokes on family and friends— always with a twinkle in his eye.
A generous spirit, Ray was always willing to lend a hand to anyone he loved who was in need. Above all else, he cherished his family, finding his greatest joy in time spent together and the memories they created. While his family is heartbroken by his passing, they find comfort in knowing that Ray is now free from the struggles of Parkinson’s disease and dementia. He will be deeply missed, but they look forward with faith to the day they will see him again.
Ray is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Mary Lee (Sorrels) Nuxoll; his two children, Rhonda (Rich) Foster and Renae (Phillip) Groom and his cherished granddaughter, Jacqueline Groom. He is also survived by his brothers, Bill (Ruth) Nuxoll, Fred (Cheryl) Nuxoll, and Roger (Marilyn) Nuxoll.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray F. Nuxoll Sr. and Josephine (Bueker) Nuxoll, and by his siblings, Frank Nuxoll and Joan (Nuxoll) Sebright.