Martin L. Stoddard

Martin L. Stoddard, age 79, of Savanna, Illinois, died Sunday, May 17, 2015, at his home. A funeral service will be held 12:00 p.m., Thursday, May 21, 2015, at Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna, Illinois. Cremation rites will be accorded following the service. A visitation will be held 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service. A memorial fund has been established in Martin’s memory.
Martin was born on December 12, 1935, in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Fred and Mary (Parson) Stoddard. After graduating from high school, Martin proudly served his country in the United States Army and spent 21 months overseas in France. On August 7, 1953, he married Shirley Klein in Sabula, Iowa, and they spent 61 happy years together. Martin worked in the special weapons division for the Savanna Army Depot for many years, retiring in 1995.
Martin was Methodist and a member of the Freemasons. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and taking trips to local casinos. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and friends.
Martin will be dearly missed by his wife, Shirley, of Savanna; a foster daughter, Dorothy Ann Thorph of Crosby, Texas; a grandson, Roger Stoddard; a step-grandson, Danny Lee Jr.; great grandson, Dominic William Stoddard; five siblings, Ronald Stoddard of Clinton, Iowa, Jim Stoddard of Clinton, Iowa, Merna Dague of Camanche, Iowa, Sally Norman of Sabula, Iowa, and Marna Bernal of Tucson, Arizona; two special nephews and one special niece, Felipe Valdivia, and Heidi and Michael Kinder. He is preceded in death by his parents; a son, Michael Stoddard; a brother, Edward Stoddard; and a daughter-in-law, Dorothy Stoddard.