SR1440 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1440 LRB101 22361 MST 73422 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of M. Lynn Martin of Springfield, who passed away on September 16, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Lynn Martin was born in Vincennes, Indiana to Hugh A. and Ruth E. (Clark) Martin on November 2, 1948; he grew up in Lawrenceville and attended Southern Illinois University; he served in the U.S. Army from 1969 through 1971, which included time as a chaplain's assistant in Heidelberg, Germany; he married Diane Midkiff on August 7, 1971, and they relocated to Oklahoma, where he attended Oklahoma Baptist University; and

WHEREAS, Lynn Martin and his wife returned to Illinois in 1973, and he began his ministry at First Baptist Church in Effingham; shortly thereafter, he was ordained by the Southern Baptist Church; he ministered through music to several churches in Springfield, including Springfield Southern Baptist Church, Wesley United Methodist Church, First United Methodist Church, and, most recently, Third Presbyterian Church; professionally, he worked for the State of Illinois and retired in 2010; and

WHEREAS, Lynn Martin was a talented pianist, singer, and choral director; he gave his time and talents to local community theaters and served on production staffs and performed with The Muni, the Springfield Theater Center, the Theater in the Park, and The Legacy Theater; he also accompanied a variety of musicals for area schools and served as a judge in regional school music contests; in his retirement, he was a music teacher at St. Aloysius School; and

WHEREAS, Lynn Martin was an advocate for honoring the American flag; he had the privilege of serving as a volunteer guardian with the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight chapter and accompanied World War II and Korean War veterans on trips to the memorials in Washington, D.C.; he was also proud to serve as a local election judge; and

WHEREAS, Lynn Martin was affectionately known as "Paw Paw" to his grandchildren; his heart was never more full than when he was with his family; and

WHEREAS, Lynn Martin was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Marianna Martin; his father-in-law, Elvis J. Midkiff; his brothers-in-law, Elvis L. and Lyle E. Midkiff; and his sister-in-law, Cheryl Gadberry; and

WHEREAS, Lynn Martin is survived by his wife of 49 years, Diane; his sons, Ryan Martin, Bradley (Adria) Martin, and Jeffrey Martin; and his grandchildren, Hope, Madison, Jake, Addie, Karli, Andrew, Clara, and Ava; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of M. Lynn Martin and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Lynn Martin as an expression of our deepest sympathy.