MARTIN J. DETMER

1928 - 2017

Martin J. Detmer, age 89, died early morning on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at his Glen Ellyn home surrounded by his family. Marty, the youngest of five boys, was born in Chicago on March 15, 1928 to Howard F. and Florence Cook Detmer. He married the love of his life, Jan-Ann Turner Detmer, in 1951 and together had five children. A 1946 graduate of Highland Park High School and Williams College class of 1950, Marty also received his MBA from the University of Chicago and served his country during the Korean War. Recruited out of college by Inland Steel, Marty was a loyal employee of 38 years ending his tenure as President of the Container division. He then became a partner in the west suburban commercial real estate firm, Phillips Martin. He served his community as a teacher and director of the CCD program at St. Petronille, as Chairman of the Board of Marianjoy Rehabilitation in Wheaton and as an adjunct business professor and the Chairman at St. Xavier University in Chicago. In addition, he served on the board of Bradner Central Co. While his professional and service accomplishments were many, they paled compared to his impact as a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a kind, thoughtful man with a "practically perfect" disposition, and an engaging sense of humor. Marty is survived by his wife Jan-Ann Turner Detmer, his daughter Mary Detmer Goodspeed and sons James (Katherine), Martin J. Detmer Jr., and David (Jean). There are also 15 grandchildren and 4 great-grand children that will always remember Pops' glass half-full attitude. His daughter Ann, granddaughter Maeve, son-in-law Norwick Goodspeed, and daughter-in-law Julie Evans Detmer predeceased him. A Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated at noon on Saturday, October 14th, at St. Petronille Catholic Church, 420 Glenwood Ave., Glen Ellyn, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Northwestern Medicine Home Care Physicians who provided the highest quality and most dignified care for Martin in his last years: Northwestern Medicine Home Care Physicians, 1800 N. Main St., Suite 219 Wheaton, IL 60187. A job well done, a life well lived.