Raymond Martin

Raymond “Al” Martin, 79, died 12:23 p.m. on Thursday, May 28^th in Heartland Regional Medical Center due to natural causes. Mr. Martin was born on April 2^nd, 1936 in Springfield, Illinois to Charles and Avis Martin.  He enjoyed his life on the farm where he developed his love of the outdoors and hard work. Al married Wanda Lou Gottman from Princeton, Indiana on Nov. 30, 1960, and they raised three sons while living in Mt.Carmel, Olney, Belvidere, Kewanee and Marion, Illinois. Al served in the Illinois Air National Guard where he enjoyed flights on many of the iconic planes from World War 2. Mr. Martin greatly enjoyed his work for GTE as an engineer and later as a division plant manager.  He retired at the age of 52, but he never slowed down.  He stayed very busy with finishing large home improvement projects, maintaining his park-like landscaping and enjoying his hobbies.  In his later years, Al was delighted to read novels (and watch old movies on Netflix) inside his screened-in porch that overlooked the lake.  He also loved to get visits from his four grand kids – especially when he got to take them out on his boat.  He enjoyed meeting people during his many trips ranging from Alaska to Hawaii to Panama where he was able to meet several of his spiritual brothers and sisters. Survivors include his wife Wanda Martin of Marion, Illinois, brother Bob Martin of Bonita Springs, Florida; sons Greg Martin of Redmond, Washington, Jeff (and wife Lori) Martin of Carbondale, Illinois, and Doug (and wife Jennifer) Martin of Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts; grandchildren Drake and Avery Martin of Carbondale, Illinois, and Katie and Allie Martin of Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts; brother and sister in-laws Harold and Jane Gottman of Princeton, Indiana, and sister in-law Doris Gould of Mt. Carmel, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother John Martin of Soldotna, Alaska, and his brother-in-law John Gould of Mt. Carmel, Illinois. Al will be remembered for his formidable intelligence and drive, his kind and loving spirit, as well as his cheerful and easy-going manner. Services will be held at 1:30p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Saturday, June 20^th with Steve Brumley officiating. Blue Funeral Home in Marion is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit bluefuneralhome.com