Lawrence Martin

Lawrence J. Martin, 94, of Elburn, passed away peacefully on October 25, 2015 at home with his family.

Born in Hinckley, Illinois on September 15, 1921, he moved to Elburn with his family in 1922. His father, “Red” Martin, owned the barber shop on Main Street and ran a pool hall. After graduating from Elburn High School, Lawrence worked at a defense factory until 1941, when he enlisted in the United States Army Air Force in December of that year. Lawrence served our country during World War II as a Technical Seargent (E-7) with the 18th Weather Squadron, 8th Army Air Force in England.

Following the war he completed his Bachelor’s degree at Northern Illinois Teacher’s College and received his Master’s of Science in History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. From 1954 to 1956, he taught military dependent children in France, mostly in Paris. With these exceptions Lawrence has always had an address inside the city limits of Elburn. Lawrence served on the Elburn Village board, was the City Treasurer for Mayor Arnold Erickson and Mayor Bud Wise, served as a Trustee of the Town and Country Public Library District 1989-1994 and 1999-2007, was awarded a Community Service Award for his humanitarian service as a resident historian for the Village of Elburn in 2000, and was an active member of Elburn Congregational Church. He was the first graduate of Elburn High School to be named its principal.
When Kaneland High School opened in 1959, Lawrence was the first Director of Athletics. When then-Superintendent H.F. Landis asked Lawrence to help form Kaneland’s Guidance Department, he returned to Northern Illinois University and earned a Master’s of Education in Counseling and was the Director of Guidance 1961-1981, when he retired.

In retirement, Lawrence and his wife Beatrice (nee Paulson, of Dorchester, Wisconsin), whom he married in 1958, enjoyed traveling and their wonderful life together as husband and wife, as parents, and as Papa and Granny. He was an avid reader his entire life who took great pleasure in sharing his love of books and learning with everyone he loved, and will always be remembered as a “sweet and gentle man”.
Lawrence is predeceased by father Claude (“Red”); mother Ethel (nee Eastabrook); and brothers Russell, Clifford, and Wilbur. He is survived by his wife Bea; daughter Sarah Jane (Mick) Brown of Wadsworth, Ohio; son Jay Lawrence (Wendy) Martin of Byron, Illinois; granddaughters Caroline Ashley Brown of Denver and Bailey Beatrice Martin of Salem, Virginia; and grandsons Nathaniel Emerson Brown of Wadsworth, Ohio, and Kirk Patrick Martin and Donald Paulson Martin of Byron, Illinois.

We love him and will miss him.

Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. with a memorial service to follow at 11 a.m., on Friday, October 30, 2015, at Elburn Community Congregational Church, on the corner of Rt. 47 and Shannon St., in Elburn. Rev. Dr. Walter Thyng, pastor of the church, will officiate with private family interment to follow at a later date.

Arrangements were handled with care and compassion by Conley Funeral Home, 630-365-6414.

Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. with a memorial service to follow at 11 a.m., on Friday, October 30, 2015, at Elburn Community Congregational Church, on the corner of Rt. 47 and Shannon St., in Elburn. Rev. Dr.

Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. with a memorial service to follow at 11 a.m., on Friday, October 30, 2015, at Elburn Community Congregational Church, on the corner of Rt. 47 and Shannon St., in Elburn. Rev. Dr.