Harlan Lee Martin

Harlan Lee Martin passed away at 9:50 a.m. Thursday, January 10th, 2013, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Harlan was born January 24, 1945 in Brunswick, Maine to Donald and Florence (Hilderbrand) Martin. Harlan was united in marriage to Sharon Kay (Hutson) Martin in 1963 in Livingston, Tennessee. They have two children, Edmund (Jeannie) Lee Martin and Shelly Ann (Martin) Knee. Harlan loved spending time, as a child, in the summers, on his grandparents farms in Leverett, Illinois and east of Danville, Illinois. His maternal grandparents were Charles and Lutie (Halberstadt) Hilderbrand and his paternal grandparents were Earl and Lily (Brown) Martin. Harlan attended schools in Georgetown, Illinios and Danville, Illinois, and he spent 4 years as a sheet metal apprentice. He worked for several years at Henry Bireline Co. as a sheet metal journeyman. Most of all Harlan loved spending time with his family, Grotto family and camping. Besides loving and caring for his family, Harlan had a love for big trucks. He owned several trucks and was a 20 year member of Independent Owner/Operators. Harlan also worked with the Gorttoes of North America, belonging to the GAO Grotto in Danville, where he had been a Monarch and held several other offices. He also belonged to the Kerman Grotto in Terre Haute, Abbas Grotto in Peoria and No-Ruz Grotto in Evansville, all were life memberships. He had been President of the Midwest Grotto Association and District Deputy of the Supreme Council of the Grottoes of North America. He was most proud of their community service providing dental care for under privileged children! Harlan was a 32nd Degree Mason, belonging to Danville Scottish-Rite and he has served as Master of his favorite Lodge Potomac #782. He also belonged to Iris Eastern Star #307. Harlan very much enjoyed life and leaves behind his wife of over 49 years Sharon K. Martin, his son Ed (Jeannie) Martin of Springfield, Illinois, his daughter Shelly Knee of Oakwood, his brother Chuck (Brenda) Martin of Oakwood, sisters Marietta (Mike) West of Danville and Suzy McCarthy of Phoenix, Arizona. He was preceded in death by sisters Anita Joe and Tracy Lynette. He also leaves grandchildren Ashley (Lance) Luginbill of Peru, Indiana, Jared (Jane) Martin of University City, Missouri, Amanda Martin of Springfield, and Lexie Knee of Oakwood, great granddaughter Adalyn Grace Luginbill of Peru, Indiana. A Celebration of Harlan's life will be at 10:00 a.m Monday, January 14th, 2013 at Sunset Funeral Home, 3940 North Vermilion Street. Harlan's Celebration Service will be officiated by Pastor Matt Harmless of Edgewood Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. Sunday, January 13th, 2013, with Masonic Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Sunset Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to GAO Grotto in Danville or C.A.S.A Animal Shelter in Tilton, Illinois. Condolences may be left online at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com