Martin "Chill" Chilovich

Martin “Chill” Chilovich, 74, of Springfield, formerly of Mt. Olive, died at 9:55 p.m. on Friday, December 15, 2006 at Memorial Medical Center. Martin was born January 14, 1932 in Mt. Olive, IL, the son of Frank and Mary Millick Chilovich. He married Beverly Fryhoff on May 17, 1980 at Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Springfield. Martin received his Bachelor’s Degree at Eastern Illinois University and then his Master’s Degree at the University of Illinois. He then went to ABL School District 6 in Champaign County where he taught and coached basketball for two years. Then he moved to Mason City for seven years where he was first teacher and coach and then principal and coach. During his last six years there, his basketball teams won twenty or more games each year. He left Mason City to take a job with Investors Diversified Services in Springfield. He then joined the Illinois State Board of Education. Martin was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1978 in recognition of Eastern Illinois University basketball team’s 1951 – 1952 undefeated regular season. Although Martin was only a sophomore, he was a starting guard for the second half of the season. In his junior year, he was the team’s leading scorer and was selected for the all-conference team of the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. As a senior, he was the team’s most valuable player, and all-conference guard and a nominee for the Little All-American team. He even had a tryout for professional basketball but was too small by pro standards. He was a member of Cathedral Church of St. Paul. Martin was also a member of Sigma Tau Gamma, TRN Club and Elk Lodge #158. Martin was utmost a storyteller, very vibrant and social. He enjoyed vegetable gardening, fishing, boating, painting and shuffleboard and was an avid sports enthusiast. He was deeply involved with his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and six brothers and sisters. He is survived by his wife: Beverly J. Chilovich of Springfield; one son: Joseph (wife, Pam) Chilovich of Columbus, OH; one stepson: Jeff Skeels of Sherman; two stepdaughters: Lezlie (husband, Dave) Brannan of Bloomington and Laura (husband, John) Berry of Springfield; seven grandchildren: Nicole, Erik, Elyse, Emma, Brianna, Dylan and Christian; first wife: Ella Mae Chilovich; three sisters: Katheryn Flood of Hillsboro, MO, Rosalind (husband, Jerry) Forkash of Oak Lawn, IL and Agnes Stampick of Mt. Olive, IL; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Family will receive friends from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 18, 2006 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Cremation will be accorded following visitation by the Cremation Tribute Center, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Memorial Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 18, 2006 at Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 815 S. 2nd St., Springfield with Rev. Robert E. Brodie celebrant. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Mt. Olive Academic Foundation, Mt. Olive, IL 62069. The family of Martin “Chill” Chilovich is being served by Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.