Larry A. Martens, 86, of Mendota, IL, passed away Friday, May 6, 2005 at Mendota County Hospital. He was born May 5, 1919 in Cedar Point, IL, the son of Henry and Aurelia (Blasberg) Martens. Larry married June Fischer on August 17, 1947 in St. John's Lutheran Church, Mendota, IL.
He attended LaSalle-Peru High School and LPO Junior College. He entered the armed service in June of 1941 and served in the U.S. Army Infantry in Europe as a First Lieutenant. He then attended the University of Illinois and earned a bachelors and masters degree in History and Government. Larry taught for over 37 years, coaching 36 of them. He started his teaching and coaching in Odell in 1947, from 1952-1963 he taught in Amboy and was the head basketball and baseball coach until leaving for Mendota High School, coaching basketball, baseball and a little football for over 20 years at Mendota High School.
Politically active, Larry served as a Mendota Alderman for eight years. He was a trustee for Mendota Township for six years, served as a LaSalle County Board member for 10 years and for 24 years was a republican precinct committeeman. He was active in the Lions Club, serving as a president and was a member of the Mendota VFW #4079, Mendota American Legion, and Mendota Elks Lodge. He drove for Meals-on-Wheels and was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church and the Mendota Golf Club. He gave of himself to his community for over 40 years.
His Yankees and Illini gave him many years of enjoyment, but his family was his pride and joy.
Survivors include his wife, June of Mendota; a daughter, Laurie (Doug) Hamel of DeKalb, IL; two sons, Scott (Annmarie) Martens of Elburn, IL and Randy (Deborah) Martens of Chicago, IL; and six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his sister.
Funeral services will be held at 3 PM Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at St. John's Lutheran Church with Rev. Art Halbardier officiating. Burial will take place at Restland Cemetery.
Visitation will be Monday, May 9, 2005 from 4 to 8 PM at Merritt Funeral Home,
800 Monroe St., Mendota, IL. 815-539-7211.Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, Mendota Lions Club or to the donor's choice.
He attended LaSalle-Peru High School and LPO Junior College. He entered the armed service in June of 1941 and served in the U.S. Army Infantry in Europe as a First Lieutenant. He then attended the University of Illinois and earned a bachelors and masters degree in History and Government. Larry taught for over 37 years, coaching 36 of them. He started his teaching and coaching in Odell in 1947, from 1952-1963 he taught in Amboy and was the head basketball and baseball coach until leaving for Mendota High School, coaching basketball, baseball and a little football for over 20 years at Mendota High School.
Politically active, Larry served as a Mendota Alderman for eight years. He was a trustee for Mendota Township for six years, served as a LaSalle County Board member for 10 years and for 24 years was a republican precinct committeeman. He was active in the Lions Club, serving as a president and was a member of the Mendota VFW #4079, Mendota American Legion, and Mendota Elks Lodge. He drove for Meals-on-Wheels and was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church and the Mendota Golf Club. He gave of himself to his community for over 40 years.
His Yankees and Illini gave him many years of enjoyment, but his family was his pride and joy.
Survivors include his wife, June of Mendota; a daughter, Laurie (Doug) Hamel of DeKalb, IL; two sons, Scott (Annmarie) Martens of Elburn, IL and Randy (Deborah) Martens of Chicago, IL; and six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his sister.
Funeral services will be held at 3 PM Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at St. John's Lutheran Church with Rev. Art Halbardier officiating. Burial will take place at Restland Cemetery.
Visitation will be Monday, May 9, 2005 from 4 to 8 PM at Merritt Funeral Home,
800 Monroe St., Mendota, IL. 815-539-7211.Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, Mendota Lions Club or to the donor's choice.
Larry A. Martens, 86, of Mendota, IL, passed away Friday, May 6, 2005 at Mendota County Hospital. He was born May 5, 1919 in Cedar Point, IL, the son of Henry and Aurelia (Blasberg) Martens. Larry married June Fischer on August 17, 1947 in St. John's Lutheran Church, Mendota, IL.
He attended LaSalle-Peru High School and LPO Junior College. He entered the armed service in June of 1941 and served in the U.S. Army Infantry in Europe as a First Lieutenant. He then attended the University of Illinois and earned a bachelors and masters degree in History and Government. Larry taught for over 37 years, coaching 36 of them. He started his teaching and coaching in Odell in 1947, from 1952-1963 he taught in Amboy and was the head basketball and baseball coach until leaving for Mendota High School, coaching basketball, baseball and a little football for over 20 years at Mendota High School.
Politically active, Larry served as a Mendota Alderman for eight years. He was a trustee for Mendota Township for six years, served as a LaSalle County Board member for 10 years and for 24 years was a republican precinct committeeman. He was active in the Lions Club, serving as a president and was a member of the Mendota VFW #4079, Mendota American Legion, and Mendota Elks Lodge. He drove for Meals-on-Wheels and was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church and the Mendota Golf Club. He gave of himself to his community for over 40 years.
His Yankees and Illini gave him many years of enjoyment, but his family was his pride and joy.
Survivors include his wife, June of Mendota; a daughter, Laurie (Doug) Hamel of DeKalb, IL; two sons, Scott (Annmarie) Martens of Elburn, IL and Randy (Deborah) Martens of Chicago, IL; and six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his sister.
Funeral services will be held at 3 PM Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at St. John's Lutheran Church with Rev. Art Halbardier officiating. Burial will take place at Restland Cemetery.
Visitation will be Monday, May 9, 2005 from 4 to 8 PM at Merritt Funeral Home,
800 Monroe St., Mendota, IL. 815-539-7211.Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, Mendota Lions Club or to the donor's choice.
He attended LaSalle-Peru High School and LPO Junior College. He entered the armed service in June of 1941 and served in the U.S. Army Infantry in Europe as a First Lieutenant. He then attended the University of Illinois and earned a bachelors and masters degree in History and Government. Larry taught for over 37 years, coaching 36 of them. He started his teaching and coaching in Odell in 1947, from 1952-1963 he taught in Amboy and was the head basketball and baseball coach until leaving for Mendota High School, coaching basketball, baseball and a little football for over 20 years at Mendota High School.
Politically active, Larry served as a Mendota Alderman for eight years. He was a trustee for Mendota Township for six years, served as a LaSalle County Board member for 10 years and for 24 years was a republican precinct committeeman. He was active in the Lions Club, serving as a president and was a member of the Mendota VFW #4079, Mendota American Legion, and Mendota Elks Lodge. He drove for Meals-on-Wheels and was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church and the Mendota Golf Club. He gave of himself to his community for over 40 years.
His Yankees and Illini gave him many years of enjoyment, but his family was his pride and joy.
Survivors include his wife, June of Mendota; a daughter, Laurie (Doug) Hamel of DeKalb, IL; two sons, Scott (Annmarie) Martens of Elburn, IL and Randy (Deborah) Martens of Chicago, IL; and six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his sister.
Funeral services will be held at 3 PM Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at St. John's Lutheran Church with Rev. Art Halbardier officiating. Burial will take place at Restland Cemetery.
Visitation will be Monday, May 9, 2005 from 4 to 8 PM at Merritt Funeral Home,
800 Monroe St., Mendota, IL. 815-539-7211.Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, Mendota Lions Club or to the donor's choice.
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