Obituaries

Martha Ann Marshall Sloan

February 22nd, 1934 – May 1st, 2021

Martha Marshall Sloan passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at Sugar Creek Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Normal, IL. Martha was born on February 22, 1934 to the Reverend Benjamin Darden and Volree (Lucas) Hodge in Houston, Texas. Her family moved to El Paso, Texas in 1944 and started Bethel Temple Assembly of God Church. After graduating from high school, Martha attended Central Bible College in Springfield, MO.

She was married by her father to Robert Marland Marshall on March 30, 1956 who was stationed in the US Army at Fort Bliss in El Paso. Martha and Robert moved back to Illinois to start their family and continue the legacy of Marshall Farms where they eventually established a home outside of Ipava, IL.

Martha was very active as a choir director for children at the Berean Christian Church and facilitated the Christmas programs. She also served as a room mother at the Ipava Elementary School. She was a dedicated homemaker and passionately attended all of her children’s and grandchildren's sporting and music events. Martha was also a longtime member of the PEO Sisterhood - Chapter C and was a past president.

She bore five children: Kathryn Ann, Karen Elizabeth (Albert Bussone), Robert Kent (Heather Sweney), Beverly Marie, and Philip Darden. Martha adored her grandchildren: Amanda Nicole (Michael), Sarah Janene (Tristin), Joseph Robert, and Peter Joseph. She was also blessed with 2 great grandchildren, Arya Kathryn and Noah Benjamin.

Later in her life, Martha began a successful career selling insurance, annuities, and securities. She loved people and served her clients with respect, kindness, and dignity. She married Robert E. Sloan on March 8, 1997. Martha was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Robert E. Sloan, a sister Mary Kay Putnam, a brother Benjamin Darden Hodge, Jr.and her eldest daughter, Kathryn.

Services will begin with a visitation at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria, IL on Thursday, May 6 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. Funeral services will begin at 10:00 AM on Friday, May 7th at the funeral home with burial at Pennington Point Cemetery immediately after. Memorials can be issued to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.

Condolences

May 4th, 2021

Philip and family - you have my deepest condolences. Your mother was a beautiful woman and this obituary is a wonderful tribute to her. Julie Reichenberger

May 4th, 2021

Phil, my heart pours out to you and your family. May God's peace and love bring each of you His comfort. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

May 4th, 2021

What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman. Our thoughts are with your family. May you all find peace in your joyful memories. Joe & Patti Yana

May 4th, 2021

Phil and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

May 4th, 2021

Our deepest thoughts and prayers go out to your family.

May 4th, 2021

Thoughts and prayers go out to the family. She sounds like a great woman! Who was loved by many!

May 4th, 2021

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May 4th, 2021

Phil ~ I was deeply saddened to hear about your mom's passing. I hope the good memories you have carry you all through this difficult time.
"Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and may the perpetual light shine upon her."
To the entire Marshall Family, with deepest sympathy and love.
Jill & Tom Schaefer

May 4th, 2021

My thoughts and prayers to you and your family. -Eric Schoenbach

May 4th, 2021

Phil and family. Our thoughts and prayers for you at this difficult time.

May 4th, 2021

A beautiful ode to her life. Our deepest sympathy and prayers for healing of your hearts. Scott and Terry

May 5th, 2021

Phil and family. Jim and I send our deepest sympathy on the passing of your beautiful mother. Cherish all the great memories of good times Prayers and thoughts to all of you.
Mary Lou & Jim

May 5th, 2021

Phillip so sorry for your loss. prayers for you and family at this time of loss. kathy cox

May 5th, 2021

Sending all of you love from your El Paso family. Love you all - Justin

May 5th, 2021

She was always such a loving and fun Aunt to me. I love her dearly know she is happy and whole with the Lord and all who have gone before us.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Welcome to everlasting life Aunt Martha! We will all be together again.
I love you all

May 5th, 2021

I was so sorry to hear this sad news. Martha was a loving friend to many children when she worked at University School. My condolences to the family. Judy Sadler

May 5th, 2021

So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Sincerely,
Nancy Rutledge

May 5th, 2021

Dear Bob & Heather and family, Missy and I's thoughts are with you during this time of grief. Sincerest heartfelt condolences to you all.

May 5th, 2021

Beautiful tribute to your Mom, Phil. Heaven has gained a compassionate, kind and loving woman. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We love you! Marni and Jackie DePeau

May 5th, 2021

I am sorry for the loss of your mother and know she will be deeply missed. The memories of her, will be with you and comfort you. She will always be in your hearts and thoughts.
Amy Birch

May 6th, 2021

So sorry to hear about your mother. May time soften the pain until all that remains is the beauty of the memories and the love you have shared.

May 6th, 2021

So sorry to hear about your mother. May time soften the pain until all that remains is the beauty of the memories and the love you have shared. Ron and Lois McFadden

May 6th, 2021

Martha was a beautiful soul with a heart of love and my friend for 70+ years. We will be reunited in Heaven for eternity. Oh what a day that will be! My heart is singing “won’t it be wonderful there, having no burden to bare, joyously singing with joy bells ringing, oh won’t it be wonderful there!”

May 6th, 2021

Martha was a beautiful soul with a heart of love and my friend for 70+ years. We will be reunited in Heaven for eternity. Oh what a day that will be! My heart is singing “won’t it be wonderful there, having no burden to bare, joyously singing with joy bells ringing, oh won’t it be wonderful there!”

May 7th, 2021

To the family- I send my most sincere sympathy to all of you on the passing of your wonderful mother, my sweet friend Martha. She and I became neighbors and good friends in Macomb. We’d laugh and have wonderful, fun times together...oh, what a joy she was to me. When I retired from WIU and headed to Arkansas, we still kept in touch by phone & through friends until a few years ago. Thanks to you for taking such wonderful care of her. She will be missed! Love to all, Helen Smiley

May 8th, 2021

We are sorry for your loss. Prayers for comfort and strength during this time. Bob and Melba Baker