Dirk Timothy Martin

1951 - 2025

Dirk Timothy Martin
Born: September 14, 1951 in Joliet, IL
Died: October 7, 2025 in Edwards, MO
Dirk Timothy Martin, Age 74, passed away suddenly on October 7th, 2025 at his home in Edwards, MO. Dirk was born and raised in Joliet, IL, the son of George and Rita Martin (Sullivan).
Dirk grew up on a farm, gathering eggs and getting into trouble with his brother, four sisters, and many cousins. He graduated from Joliet East High School in 1969, where he also ran track. After high school, he served in the U.S. Navy and traveled the world for 4 years. He became an Electrician working out of Local #176 in Joliet, started his own company, Martin Electric, and raised 3 daughters.
When his father retired, he took over Martin Campground and ran it for many years. He married his wife, Julie, September 3rd, 2005 in Joliet and gained an amazing bonus family, the Grants.
When he was finally able to retire, he built the home of his dreams in Missouri on Lake of the Ozarks and spent his later years hunting, fishing, boating, clearing land, identifying birds, seining for minnows in the creeks, searching for deer sheds and arrowheads in the woods, entertaining the constant flow of visiting family and friends, and loving every minute of it. He served as Chairman of the Lakes and Wildlife Committee in Forbes Lake of the Ozarks. He was an outdoorsman through and through and would always be found outside working on a project or walking his land with his Labrador retriever, Sky, by his side.
He was an avid reader of anything history, war, or horror. He loved westerns, his all-time favorite being "Lonesome Dove," and he was a life-long Chicago Bears fan.
He loved to tell stories, tell you all about what he's been up to lately, tell you what his next plans were, and just talk about life. He never slowed down and he never stopped dreaming, scheming, and planning his next project or great adventure.
He was a guiding light, stern voice of reason, and true and humble friend to many and he will be greatly missed by all who love him.
Dirk is survived by his wife, Julie Martin (Grant), daughters, Samantha Martin of San Antonio, TX, Cassandra Martin of San Antonio, TX, Angela Martin of Wichita, KS, Cynthia Nowman (Jason), Alice Fox (Jesse), 5 grandchildren, Adeline, Avery, Thomas, Kas, and Hannah, all of Kankakee, 3 sisters, Rebecca Ferro, Linda Martin, Barbara Bodoh, 6 sisters-in-law, Kristen Grant, Denys Grant, Laurie Bass, Lisa Grant, Martine Berghouse, Danita Swanson, and 6 brothers-in-law, David Grant (Terri), Patrick Grant, Jeffrey Grant (Beth), Thomas Grant (Jill), Matthew Grant (Kathy), and Peter Grant (Lesley), and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his father, George Martin, mother Rita Martin (Sullivan), step-mother Rose Martin, older brother Raymond Martin, sister Mary Gray, mother-in-law Elizabeth Grant, brother-in-law Dana Grant, sister-in-law Donna Grant, brother-in-law Kurt Berghouse, and son-in-law Patrick Wilda.
A memorial visitation will be held from 3:00pm- 7:00pm on Monday, October 27th, 2025 at Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home in Kankakee, IL. Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, October 28th at 10:00am at St. John Paul II Catholic Church-West Campus in Kankakee, IL followed by military honors ceremony at St. Joseph Cemetery in Manteno, IL
Memorials may be made to Three River's Hospice.
Please sign his guestbook at www.clancygernon.com.