Rebecca Jane Martis was born Aug. 30, 1992, to Richard Martis and Colleen (Hinesley) Martis in Peoria, IL. She married Kelby Jenison on Oct. 17, 2020, near Gentry AR where they lived following the wedding. She departed this life for her Heavenly Home on October 18, 2021, at the age of 29 years.
Rebecca was preceded in death by her paternal Grandparents, Joe and Etta Martis, and Step-Grandfather Ned Venyak.
She is survived by Kelby Jenison; parents, Colleen (Matt) LaNou of Ramsey, MN, Ric Martis of Pekin, IL; stepfather Steve Venyak; sister Megan (Josh) Wagner of Phoenix, AZ; three bothers Steven Martis of Phoenix AZ, Corey Martis (Jessica) and Collin Martis of Pekin, IL; maternal grandparents Wendell and Juanema Hinesley of Pekin, IL; step-grandmother Shirley Venyak of Morton, IL; step-grandparents Gary and Mary LaNou of Eau Claire, WI. Also surviving is her Aunt Clarice (Don) Spangler of Pekin, IL; Uncle Scott Martis of Mackinaw, IL; several stepbrothers and sisters, and step aunts and uncles, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She is also survived by her most faithful companion, her German Shepherd and Love of her life; Tucker Mitfuhlend Kaiser.
Becca became a born-again Christian when she accepted Jesus into her heart as her Savior at a very young age. When she was a little older and understood better, she gave her life to Jesus during an AWANA program at Delavan Baptist Church, where she attended through her high school years.
While growing up in Delavan, IL she attended Preschool and Delavan School through High School graduation. She made many lifelong friends who remained close until her death. Becca as her friends called her was a cheerleader both in school and competitively with a natural cheerleader spirit all her life.
Rebecca graduated from IL Central College having studied Agri-Business. She worked in farm equipment sales with Precision Ag and Case IH. She loved big farm machinery and enjoyed selling, operating, and servicing them. Her kitchen was at one time filled with John Deere replicas and décor.
Her love of animals led her to work for Veterinary Clinics in Pekin, IL and her outgoing personality led her to work as a lifeguard at Splashdown and Dragon Land water parks.
After working for the Peoria County Sheriff’s Dept, as a night guard, she accepted a job at the Greenwood, AR police Dept, attending the Arkansas Law Enforcement Academy in East Camden, AR graduating as a fully qualified Police Officer. Her Police Chief, Will Dawson, always encouraged and supported her, and she loved working for and with him. He remained one of Becca’s staunch supporters and closest friends.
When she met Kelby, she moved to Gentry, AR and served on the Tontitown Police Dept until approximately five months ago when she chose to pursue her dream of professional photography, photographing weddings, engagements, and family events. Becca was a natural at beautiful photography.
Becca loved animals and always wanted another puppy from each litter of Tucker’s offspring. She loved flowers, planting, gardening, decorating, and homemaking in general. She was creative, artistic, vivacious, and witty with an infectious laugh and intense green eyes. She loved country living, Arkansas, mountains, lakes, and State Parks.
Our Rebecca will be greatly missed by her many close friends, and family that adored her and saw her great potential, winning ways with people, her drive to succeed, and her undying love for children and animals. Her talents were many and the world is a sadder place without her presence to lighten the mood and brighten our lives. We rejoice in knowing we will see her again someday in our Heavenly Home.
The family has scheduled a visitation Thursday, October 28, 2021, from 4:00p.m. until 7:00p.m. with the Funeral on Friday October 29, 2021 at 10:00a.m. Both services will be held at Delavan Baptist Church, 412 Linden St, Delavan IL. Interment to follow at Prairie Rest Cemetery, Delavan, IL
Memorial contributions can be made to the Rebecca Martis Memorial Fund; c/o Heartland Bank and Trust Co; Pekin, IL, or mail to Collin Martis; 1513 So. 6th St, Pekin, IL; to Joyce Meyer Ministries at https://www.joycemeyer.org/donate/project-grl or Safe Horizon at https://www.safehorizon.org/programs/supporting-someone-emotionally-abusive-relationship/
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