Mike E. Martin

Michael E. Martin, age 69, of Mt. Carroll, passed away Thursday, February 27, 2020 with his loving family surrounding him. A memorial visitation will be held Saturday, March 7, 2020 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mt Carroll, with a celebration of Mike’s life held at Charlie’s II in Mt. Carroll following the visitation. Cremation rites have been accorded and burial will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery at a later date with military rites. A memorial fund has been established in Mike’s name. Everyone’s invited to share in Michael’s life at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com .

Mike was born January 22, 1951, in Savanna, Illinois, the son of Earl and Janice (Randecker) Martin. He graduated from Mt. Carroll High School in 1969, he later graduated from Highland Community College. Mike honorably served in the United States Navy as a Fire Control Technician 3rd Class. Mike worked at Honeywell factory for 36 ½ years. He started in the factory and then retired from the test lab in 2009 as a senior technician. On July 6, 1979 Michael married Diane Griffin at the Methodist Church in Mt. Carroll. They celebrated 33 years of marriage until Diane’s passing on September 3, 2012.

Mike was a social butterfly and many encounters with him the public would result with the following statements, “How are you doing Mike?” with the proper response of “Not bad for a short guy”. Following the death of Diane, Mike decided to travel. He went on many bus trips around the country. On one of the bus trips, Mike spotted his future fiancé, who was also on the bus trip. With persistence, he won her heart. Mike and Bev have celebrated their love for 3 years. Mike loved playing the drums and had the honor of playing the drums at the Tootsie Orchid Lounge in Nashville, Tennessee. He also enjoyed playing the drums at Charlie’s II during open mic nights on Sundays and for a few years as a member of the New Spirit Band. Mike truly loved his friends and belonged to many different social organizations, including lifelong member of the American Legion Post #67 and Cyrus Lodge 188 in Mt. Carroll.

Mike will be dearly missed by his wonderful fiancé Bev Barnhouse of Viola, Illinois; a daughter, Kimberly (Greg) Rada of Florence, Illinois; a son, Chris (Kelli) of Mt. Carroll; a great aunt, Lucile Martin of Decatur, Illinois and many nieces and nephews. Michael is preceded in death by his wife and parents.