Marlin Lucille Martin | 96 | Pleasant Hill

Marlin Lucille Martin, of Pleasant Hill, IL went to be with the Lord on Feb. 15, 2025, after spending 96 years celebrating life, and sharing her love and faith with her family and friends.Marlin was born on June 10, 1928, the fourth child and only daughter to Harry Elbia and Freda Marie Buchanan at their home near Hardin in Calhoun County, Illinois. She attended many one-room schools throughout Calhoun and Pike Counties and was blessed to attend all four senior high years at Pleasant Hill High School. She was a Majorette, in Home Ec. Club, and on the Annual and Library Staffs for all four years. She also participated in school plays and Pep Club before graduating in 1946.
The love of her life, Paul Howard Martin, had left to serve in the Navy in November of 1943. He loved her from afar sending photos that she lovingly cherished in a special book, that to this day delights family. In February of 1946, her senior year, he returned for a few days and they were wed at the Pittsfield Courthouse witnessed by their mothers on February 2. He left to complete his enlistment and returned to her in May of that same year. From that point forward they were inseparable and enjoyed nearly 60 years together before his passing. Their love could be seen by all as they shared life to its fullest. To this union, God blessed them with two boys, Jimmie Dale and Terry Lee, followed 13 years later by Sandra Lynn.
Marlin loved the Lord and her family, and prioritized life around those loves, spending much time caring for her parents, in-laws, and her entire family. She shared her faith in Christ freely and was a member of First Baptist Church and loved being on the kitchen team with her dear friends. She had a strong work ethic holding various jobs over the years including housekeeping, sewing at the Brown Shoe Factory and the Pleasant Hill Garment Factory, and finally serving as a beloved school cook for Pleasant Hill Schools, retiring after 17 years. Her home was always inviting and filled with the scents of something cooking or baking, and her Bible and a puzzle book were ever present along with whatever sewing or crochet project she currently had in the making. In her beautiful easy way, she was always ready to visit with whoever came along, and ready to go if Paul said “let’s go.”  Marlin’s passions were many: sewing and quilting, crocheting, cooking, canning, fishing, camping, travel, reading, cards and dominoes, listening to Paul play his guitar and raising flowers to name just a few. She lovingly shared and taught these passions to her family that grew to include her three children, 15 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and 20 great-great grandchildren.
She is survived by her son, Terry Martin (Trudy DeCamp Eldridge) and her daughter, Sandra Thomas (Michael), and daughter-in-law, Melanie Martin.
Marlin was preceded in death by her parents and her three brothers, Harold, Gerald and John, her husband, Paul, her eldest son, Jim, a grandson, Tony and a granddaughter, Kelly.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, Feb. 23, 2026 at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Pleasant Hill conducted by her son-in-law, Pastor Michael Thomas. Burial will follow at Nebo Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday at the church from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund.
Lummis Funeral Home in Pleasant Hill is handling the arrangements.