SR0739 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0739 LRB103 37785 ECR 67914 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Stanley Joseph Martin of Springfield, who passed away on January 7, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Martin was born to Joseph and Alta (Goslin) Martin in Paxton on January 3, 1940; he was raised in Buckley, where he worked on the family farm and raised crops and livestock; he attended public schools in Buckley and graduated from Buckley High School in 1957, where he was president of his senior class; he married Wanda Billingsley at the United Methodist Church in Buckley on July 6, 1958, and they moved to Springfield in 2014; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Martin worked at Squibb Pharmaceuticals in Franklin Park near Chicago before returning home to work on the family farm when his father became ill; he raised champion polled Hereford cattle and was one of the first farmers to move to 30-inch rows; he also worked part-time with the Artesia Township Road Commissioner; he started a position at the Illinois Department of Transportation in 1968, where he worked for more than 25 years; and

WHEREAS, During the Vietnam War, Stanley Martin volunteered to help local baker Jack Luker prepare and distribute Angel Food cakes that were air dropped to troops on the battlefield overseas; he also sent his German Shepherd, Duke, to Vietnam to help in the war effort; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Martin served as president of the Woodland Cemetery Association; during his tenure, the cemetery was expanded and historic tombstones were refurbished; he was also a member of the Pontiac Elks, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Farmers' Union, and the United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Martin was recognized by the Illinois State Police for his actions during the Crescent City train derailment in 1970; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Martin was an avid amateur citizen band radio enthusiast and an enthusiastic reader; he enjoyed gardening, canning vegetables, landscaping, tinkering in his workshop, and spending his time with others, including coaching his daughters' women's softball team or helping uptown; before going to work, he played Euchre and Schafkopf with his longtime friends in uptown Buckley every morning; during his retirement, he opened the 103 East Bar in Buckley each morning for those who wanted to play cards; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Martin was known for his ability to quickly make friends with people from all walks of life wherever he went; he will be remembered for his ability to turn a word, poke fun at everyday life, and his quick wit; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Martin was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Gerald Martin; and his infant twin brothers; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Martin is survived by his wife; his sister, Joan Walton; his children, Kelly (Carl) Hasselbring, Stanley Joseph (Joe) Martin Jr., and Mona (David Joens) Martin; his grandchildren, Cade (Johanna) Hasselbring, Jordan (Shawnna Rose) Hasselbring, Ali (Nick) Langley, and Benjamin Joens; and his great-grandchildren, Izabelle Hasselbring, McKenzi Hasselbring, Aliza Hasselbring, Zavin Hasselbring, Calvin Hasselbring, Carson Langley, and Avery Langley; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Stanley Joseph Martin and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Stanley Martin as an expression of our deepest sympathy.