Diane L. Martin

Born on January 3, 1950, in Gary, Indiana, she was the daughter of Elvis J. and Doris A. (Theis) Midkiff. After growing up in Lowell, Indiana, she attended Vincennes University and Purdue University. On August 7, 1971, she married the late M. Lynn Martin, her husband of forty-nine years. The two relocated to Oklahoma where she earned her degree in pharmaceutical science from the University of Oklahoma.

After returning to Illinois, Diane began her career as a pharmacist, working in retail pharmacies. For more than twenty-five years, Diane was a night-shift pharmacist at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. She retired from St. John’s in 2012 but continued to serve as a per diem pharmacist at Vibra Hospital and Lincoln Prairie Behavioral Health Center.

Diane proudly taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School to toddlers and school-age children at her home church of Springfield Southern Baptist Church and other churches in Springfield. In her spare time, Diane could be found baking and cooking for her loved ones, while also ensuring the backyard birds were always well fed. Always striving to keep her hands and mind busy, she enjoyed cross-stitch, jigsaw and crossword puzzles, and watching “Jeopardy.”

Diane, along with her husband, was the proud mother to three “ornery” boys. In death, she is survived by her three sons: Ryan Martin and his fiancée, Melissa Carlino of Springfield; Bradley Martin and his wife, Adria Martin of Springfield; and Jeffrey Martin and his fiancée, Jessica Thier of Bristol, Connecticut. She was a proud grandma to Hope, Madison, Jake, Addie, Karli, Andrew, Clara, and Ava. The oldest of eight children, Diane is also survived by her mother, Doris Midkiff; her brothers, Ralph, Dale, and Todd Midkiff; her sister, Dorraine Pierson; and her dear friend, Betty Suter. Diane was preceded in death by her husband, M. Lynn Martin; her father, Elvis J. Midkiff; her parents-in-law, Hugh A. & Ruth E. Martin; her brothers, Elvis L. and Lyle E. Midkiff; her sister, Cheryl Gadberry; and her sister-in-law, Marianna Martin.

Visitation and Funeral Ceremony: Family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at Springfield Southern Baptist Church, 225 N. Grand Ave., East, Springfield, IL. A funeral ceremony will follow at 12:00 p.m. with Pastor Doug Morrow officiating. Illinois COVID-19 guidance will be followed, requiring face coverings.

Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations in Diane’s memory be made to the Remodel Fund at Springfield Southern Baptist Church.

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield.