Born November 10, 1936 in Pekin to Charles Chester and Dorothy Edith (Vanderwater) Endicott, she married John William Meints on July 3, 1955 in Pekin. He died January 4, 2007 in Peoria. She later married Celso Martinez on December 31, 2011 in Las Vegas. He survives of White House, Texas.
Also surviving are three daughters, Becky (David) Powell of Pekin, Peggy (Rick) Chaney of Marquette Heights and Sally (Paul) Collins of Irvington, Alabama; ten grandchildren; thirty-three great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren and one sister, Virginia Moore of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
She also was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Charles Philip Meints on April 17, 2016; one brother, Douglas Endicott; one great-grandson, Austin May and her beloved dog, Heidi.
Nancy graduated from Pekin Community High School in 1954 and began her career with Pekin Insurance that year. She retired in January of 1999 as senior personal lines underwriter. During this period she earned her certificate in General Insurance and Associates in Underwriting. She was a member of the 25 year club at Pekin Insurance and a member of the Yepi’s (Yesterday’s Employees of Pekin Insurance).
She was a member of First Christian Church since 1982, where she was a former Deacon and attended the Scripture Sunday school class. She also was a member and former leader of the Deborah Circle of the church and had served on the Property Committee. She was a life member of the Spring Lake Sportsman’s Club.
Upon retirement, she spent seven years living in Florida for the winter months in her fifth wheel travel trailer with John and Heidi. Her favorite pastime was traveling and attending “Crash Craddock” Concerts whenever possible. She also enjoyed Christmas shopping with her girls in November each year.
Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 3, 2021 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Mark Foglio and Rabbi David Tokajer, her grandson-in-law, will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, 1201 Chestnut Street, Pekin, Illinois 61554 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
