Lloyd Martin

1927 - 2021

Lloyd Martin
Born: March 7, 1927
Died: November 5, 2021
Lloyd Martin, 94, of Shannon passed away into the arms of Jesus on November 5, 2021. He was born March 7, 1927 in Georgetown, the son of Walter and Mabel (Kloepping) Martin. He attended Georgetown country school, and was a 1945 graduate of Lanark High School. It was there he met the love of his life, Bernice Derrer. Lloyd married Bernice on September 11, 1948 at the First Brethren Church in Lanark. They took a three week honeymoon to the west coast, and Lloyd's love of travel to the western states continued after that.
Lloyd and Bernice started farming on Bernice's parents' farm west of Lanark. Eventually wanting to farm on his own, they moved to Derinda, IL and then to the Stockton, IL area. By then, they had two children, Doug and Debbie. They have many fond memories of the Pleasant Valley Church and the Derinda Trinity Lutheran Church where they were active members. In the early 1960s, Lloyd decided to farm more "level" ground, and bought the Ben Schwartz farm west of Freeport. He continued crop farming and raising beef cattle and feeder pigs. It is here their two daughters were born, Patty and Amy. The family joined St. John United Church of Christ in Freeport and Lloyd was an active committee member.
After an especially wet harvest season, Lloyd decided to give up crop farming and pursue his dreams of living in the west. In 1973 he sold the Freeport farm and with Bernice and his two youngest daughters, moved to Corvallis, Montana. He said it was possibly the best two years of his life, living in the Bitterroot Valley. He raised cattle and sold machinery.
In 1976, Lloyd and Bernice's first grandchild was born. Because of their strong love of family, they decided to move back to the Shannon area. Lloyd was in the feed mill business (Martin Milling) in Shannon until his retirement in 1990. They bought a small acreage south of Shannon where Lloyd continued his passion for farming on a smaller scale. He enjoyed fixing up equipment, raising sweet corn to give away, and building go-carts and a playhouse for the grandchildren. Lloyd and Bernice joined Bethel United Methodist Church in Shannon, where they continued to be faithful members. Even though Lloyd and Bernice moved to town in their later years, Lloyd continued to be a voracious reader of non-fiction, especially
WWII history. He loved to work with his hands in his little workshop, making picture frames from old barn boards. They cherished their friendships with many local couples, and enjoyed entertaining and playing cards, board games and dominoes. His mind was extremely sharp even up to his last days here on earth.
Lloyd is survived by his loving wife, Bernice, of 73 years. Four children, Douglas (Linda) Martin of Lena IL, Deborah (Mike) Cieliesz of Dalton, WI, Patricia (Gale) Miller of Shannon, IL, Amy (Steve) Kenneke of Lantana, TX.
Nine grandchildren: Auburn, Angie, Brandon, Bryan, Brittany, Bradley, Faith, Isabelle and Caleb. Five great-grandchildren: Paisley, Jade, Jameson, Jackson and Brylee. Three step grandchildren, Seven step great-grandchildren and one step great-great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant son.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. November 15, at Bethel United Methodist Church in Shannon with Pastor Brenda Morris officiating. Interment will be at Lanark Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, November 14 at the Bethel United Methodist Church. Condolences may be shared through Schwarz Funeral Home, Freeport/Lanark.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for Bethel United Methodist Church in Shannon and FHN Hospice of Freeport IL.