Belvidere, IL

Dennis J. Martin, Sr. 86, of Belvidere, IL passed away peacefully Saturday morning, January 31, 2015 in Northwoods Care Center after a lingering illness.  Dennis was born May 21, 1928 in Chicago, IL the son of Thomas and Neva (Nichols) Martin.  He married Joan Wolff in 1952; following her death, he married Shirley Sellers in 2007 in Belvidere.  Dennis began his work career as a draftsman.  He then served as a manufacturer's rep for Eclipse Corp and then started his own company, Martin Equipment in 1972.  He retired in 2006.  Dennis served our country in the US Marine Corp at the end of World War II in China.

Dennis attended First United Methodist Church in Belvidere with Shirley.  He was an avid golfer, volunteered at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center and enjoyed traveling the world.  He was also a former member of Kiwanis and Habitat for Humanity in Buffalo, N.Y.

Dennis is loved and will be missed by his wife, Shirley of Belvidere; children, Jay Martin of Buffalo, NY, Kevin Martin of Atlanta, GA, Andrea Martin of Columbus, OH, Drew Martin of Canton, OH and Matthew (Lydia) Martin of Reynoldsburg, OH; step-children, Randy (Linda) Sellers and Julie (David) Claeyssens both of Belvidere; eight Grandchildren and two Great-Grandchildren.  Dennis is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Joan and brother Milo Ray "Tony" Martin.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, February 7, 2015  in Anderson Funeral and Cremation Services at Buck-Wheeler-Hyland Chapel, 218 W. Hurlbut Ave., Belvidere, IL with Rev. Dean Parker, Chaplain of OSF St. Anthony Medical Center officiating.  Burial of Dennis' cremated remains will be in Belvidere Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given in care of First United Methodist Church, 610 Bonus Avenue, Belvidere, IL 61008 or the Wounded Warrior Project 4899 Belfort Rd., Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL32256 (www.Woundedwarriorproject.org).  To light a candle or to share a memory, please visit www.AndersonFCS.com