Audrey Elaine Martin, age 93, of Knoxville, Illinois, died at 11:09 A.M. on Friday, June 14, 2019, at the Saint Mary Medical Center in Galesburg, Illinois.
She was born on April 20, 1926, in Galesburg, the daughter of Gordon and Hazel (Carlson) Watters. She was reared and educated in the Gilson, Illinois area, and graduated from Gilson High School. She lived in this area her entire life. On October 20, 1946, Audrey was married to Kenneth A. Martin in Knoxville. He preceded her in death on March 1, 2014. Left to cherish Audrey’s memory are her two daughters: Jackie Martin of Peoria, Illinois, Jolene (and Jeff) Stoppelmoor of Colona, Illinois; two grandchildren: Rachel (and J.D.) Mathews of Olive Branch, Mississippi, Ryan (and Jodi Million) Cecil of Gilson, Illinois; four great-grandchildren: Lahna Reese Mathews, Cohen Kenneth Mathews, and Izac Mathews of Olive Branch, Mississippi, Brenna Million of Gilson; one sister, Sandra (and Dave) Harrow of Wood Lake, California; and one brother, Gary (and Lorrene) Watters of Chico, California. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and one sister, Loma Carlson. During World War II, Audrey worked at the Rock Island Arsenal, where she manufactured parts for weapons. She later worked as a secretary for Holland Furnace of Galesburg. She then worked for her uncle as a clerk at the Carlson Hardware Store in Knoxville, which later became Moore’s Hardware, and finally the Knoxville Hardware Store. She was a devoted member of the Knoxville United Presbyterian Church, Knoxville TOPS, and the Harry Philblad American Legion Post #749 Auxiliary of Knoxville.
Cremation rites will be accorded. Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Home & Crematory in Knoxville, Illinois. A memorial service will directly follow at 11:00 A.M. Inurnment will be at the Knoxville Cemetery in Knoxville, Illinois. A fellowship gathering will be held directly following the services at the Hurd-Hendricks Fellowship Center in Knoxville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Saint Jude Children’s Hospital. Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be made through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com.
