Obituary of Shirley A. Martin

 Shirley A. Martin, 86, died Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at Javon Bea Mercy Hospital in Rockford.  Shirley was born April 28, 1936 in Clinton Iowa, the daughter of Hans and Amanda (Petersen) Hansen. On June 26, 1955 she married Robert E. Martin.  He preceded her in death on December 10, 1993.  

   Shirley was  a housewife, worked in the office at Sears in Sterling, and was a dental assistant to Dr. James Lyon.  When Dr. Lyon was the secretary of the Whiteside County Fair Board, she was his assistant in the office.  She loved crafting, shopping, going out to eat and traveling. What she loved most was spending time with her husband, children, and her brothers and sisters.  She was a member of the Eastern Star,  a Grand Lecturer Emeritus and was a Grand Representative to New Brunswick.  She walked, sometimes ran, beside Bob as he progressed through the Masonic Bodies.  She was also a member of the Red Hatters of Sterling and she volunteered at CGH Hospital for many years.  

   Survivors include a daughter Pamela (Walter) DeMent of Rockford; two sisters Sharon Naeve of Olive Branch MS and Neva Brumm of Clinton IA; one brother Thomas (Kathy) Hansen of Cambridge IL; one brother-in-law Richard A. Martin of Spring Hill FL; Karen Bramm, a cousin of Bob’s who has been a friend, confidant and a shoulder to lean on when necessary.  She also had many nieces and nephews and cousins that she loved.

   She was also preceded in death by her parents; husband; a son; two sisters Betty Countryman, Marilyn Green and three brothers Ervin Hansen, Donald Hansen and Morris Hansen; three nephews Ronald Brumm, Bruce Martin and John O’Conner. 

   Visitation will be Wednesday November 30, 2022 at New Life Church on Lynn Boulevard in Sterling from 10AM-1PM with the funeral starting at 1PM.  There will be a luncheon to follow.  Interment will be on December 2, 2022 at Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison IL. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to New Life Church, or Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

   Condolences may be sent to www.schillingfuneralhome.com