Kenneth Martin

Kenneth “Kenny” Martin, age 87, a resident of rural Ozark, Illinois and a former resident of Mt. Vernon, passed away Thursday, March 2, 2017, at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion, Illinois. Kenny was born December 29, 1929 in Carrier Mills, Illinois to Kenneth and Velma (Nolen) Martin. He married Shirley J. Rose on August 6, 1949. She preceded him in death on June 24, 2010. Kenny is survived by one son, Greg (his wife, Sarah) Martin of Mt. Vernon; grandchildren – Megan (her husband, Mike) Cappel of Cincinnati, Ohio and Cory Martin of Mt. Vernon; great-grandchildren – Madison, Jackson, and Carter Cappel of Cincinnati, Ohio; a brother – Michael “Mickey” (his wife, Carla) Martin of Galatia; a sister-in-law – Barbara Volkmann of Kankakee; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to his wife, Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, sisters-in-law – Wanda Gillespie and Ida Lee “Spud” Hill; brothers-in-law – Robert Hill and Walter Volkmann; and nephews – Lance and Doug (Marie Dodgens) Gillespie. Following his graduation from Harrisburg High School in 1947, Kenny was employed as a coal miner, an electrician, and a State Farm insurance agent. He later owned and operated Atla Seal Glass in Mt. Vernon for thirty-one years. He was recognized as the Mt. Vernon “Small Businessman of the Year” in 1987 and served on the boards of Rend Lake Conservancy District, the Mt. Vernon Economic Development, the Bank of Illinois, as well as the Zion Cemetery. Kenny served as a city councilman in Mt. Vernon from 1967 – 1977 and as mayor from 1977-1981. Kenny was a life-member of Blazing Star Masonic Lodge # 458 A.F. & A.M. in Carrier Mills and was a member of the A.A.O.N.M.S. (Ainad Temple Shrine). Kenny enjoyed living on the farm, carving wooden caricatures, taking care of his many animals, feeding the hummingbirds, keeping up on politics, and in previous years, tending to his garden. He cared deeply for his family, cherished his many friends, and was always willing to lend a helping hand. A gathering of family and friends will be held Saturday, March 25, 2017, from 1 PM – 3 PM at Bailey Funeral Home, 705 N. 1st St., Vienna, IL. A graveside service will follow at Zion Cemetery, east of Ozark. Pastor Scott Johnson will officiate. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Kenny’s memory may be made to the College of the Ozarks, c/o Development Office, P.O. Box 17, Point Lookout, Missouri 65726 or to the Zion Cemetery Fund, c/o Diane Conover, P.O. Box 118, New Burnside, IL 62967.

Kenneth Martin

December 29, 1929 - March 2, 2017