The Virtual Memorial Garden

Francis William Martin was my much beloved Grandfather. He worked for the Burgess Seed and Plant Company for over fifty years and was a pillar of community service. Galesburg, Michigan would not be the town it is today without his labors. Through his grandchildren, my Grandfather was able to travel the world and obtain several masters degrees, as the Great Depression forced him to forgoe his dream. Vaya con dios Abuelo con todo mi amor siempre. Michelle

To a man I never got the chance to meet(Harvey Martin) you were supposed to be my father in law but it never happened that way, because God called you home to be with him before we had the chance to meet.I regret not being able to have you in my life and the lives of our children, to hear people talk about you , I feel like we were all cheated to meet a man as wonderful as you seem to have been,my husband(your son)talks very highly of you and i know by what we have heard that we would have been doing the same if only we could have had a chance. We love you just the same,so take your rest and live in that beautiful place called heaven, untill we meet again. Your daughter in law today, Jean.

To my Husband ,i still miss ya baby! you have a wonderful son who has grown up to look a lot like you ,jessy and jon missed not having you around to be a dad,lord knows we needed you! Love always and forever your wife and widow Linda

Nanny. We love you so much. We are being good at school. With love and fond, happy memories. A Shetlander. Your grandchildren Danielle and Andrew. XXXXXXXXXXXXX

To Granny, partings are always hard, and we will all have to change our lives to fill the huge void your parting has left. Keith & Louise To Great Granny, we will miss you so much. Danielle & Andrew

Larry Roy Martin was much beloved Uncle and friend. An avid baseball card collector and sports fan, we watched many a game together on a spring day. Baseball is not quite the same without him. He was an artistic, alltruistic soul and cared deeply for others but not nearly enough for himself. He died because of extended use of alcohol and drugs and his brilliance as an artist and musician and songwriter is lost to a world he longed to please. If you have a family member or friend who suffers from addiction, please help them get the help they need in order to survive before it is too late. We could not help my Uncle in time and I miss him each day. His red hair, freckles and blue eyes will never smile again. Love, Michelle

Levi we are sorry you could not stay on this Earth with us. If tears could heal you then you would be here now. We loved you so much, but you are at peace now. One day we will meet you and then you will know how much we loved you our darling baby. Sleep well sweetheart. love always Mummy, Daddy, Shane, Adam, Glenn Alex and Oliver.

Marilyn passed into immortality after bravely battling a long & pain filled illness.

My dear mother is gone. Most of the time my mind remembers, it's only my heart that tends to forget.

Rather than mourn the absence of her beautiful flame;
Let us celebrate how lovely & brightly it glowed.

Marilyn's flame glowed very lovely & brightly indeed... Only her prolonged & debilitating illness could dim her warming light, which even when ill continued to flare up for brief intervals, giving those around her merely a glimpse of it's former brilliance & beauty.

We must celebrate:
The Marilyn the confidant & keeper of many a deep secret;
The Marilyn who happily mothered the whole neighborhood, and any stray child who happened to come within her sight, hearing, or reach;
The Marilyn the homemaker, who once made matching long sleeve, button down shirts for her husband and young sons without the benefit of patterns, nor benefit of any sewing training (No one told her that it could not be done, so she just did it);
The Marilyn who SO loved to dress up for an outing;
The Marilyn who always had to have her hair fixed just so, makeup all in place, and jewelry on before she would go out of her house.

We must celebrate:
The Marilyn who tried so hard, for so many years, to make everyone happy;
The Marilyn of my youth who would never leave the house without hose, a hat, and gloves on, and heels with a bag to match;
The Marilyn who would never wear white after labor day;
The Marilyn who loved & wore Chanel Number 5;
The Marilyn who loved her big new "Red Hat Society" hat, although she never had a proper chance to wear it.

We also need remember:
The Marilyn who wanted SO much to be a grandmother and part of her grandchildren's lives, but her poor body just seemed to betray her far, far too early;
The Marilyn who wanted SO much to be able to travel again with her husband, that she endured hour upon hour and day upon day of agonizing respriatory therapy, trying in vain to build up her staminia so that she would be able to visit far away places once more.

You had so much pain... Is it a nice, pain free rest you are now having, mom?

Are you finally able to be free of the terrible & unending anxiety which became the bane of your life?

Marilyn is remembered & terribly missed by all who knew her.
She is especially missed by her husband, children, and grandchildren.