Richard Joseph Martens

Richard J. Martens, 87, of Atkinson, IL, passed away on March 13, 2023, at Woodridge of Geneseo. Visitation will be held Monday, March 20, 2023, from 4:30-7:00 p.m. at Vandemore Funeral Home & Crematory-Atkinson Chapel. Recitation of the Rosary will begin at 4:00 p.m. prior to visitation, at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at St. Anthony Church-Atkinson with Reverend S. Stephen Engelbrecht celebrating. He will be laid to rest at St. Anthony Cemetery-Atkinson. Memorials can be made in his name to Atkinson Fire & Rescue, or Ronald McDonald House.

Dick was born on the family farm, rural Atkinson on December 25, 1935, the son of Henry and Germaine (Bulens) Martens. He married Mary Jacobsen on November 3, 1962, in Kewanee, IL. She preceded him in death on December 25, 2002. Dick graduated from Prophetstown High School in 1953 and then barber college in 1960. He was a barber for many years along with farming the family farm. He was very active in St. Anthony’s Catholic Church serving as an altar server and eucharistic minister. Dick was also a member of the Moose and the Catholic Order of Foresters. He was active in 4H showing cattle. He was an avid gardener and had a love for flowers. So much so that he helped with the beautification of the boulevard in Atkinson for many years.

Those left to cherish his memory are children; Julie (John) VanOverberg of Colona and Dan (Pamela) Martens of Geneseo, siblings; Suzanne Floming-Deskin of Atkinson, Ruth (Leon) DeDecker of Annawan and Kenneth (Judy) Martens of Ann Arbor, MI, grandson, Matt Martens and great grandchildren; Ashton and Maddox Martens.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Germaine Martens and wife, Mary Martens.