George E. Martin, 57, of Olney, passed away on April 24, 2014, at Casey Healthcare Center with his family by his side.  Funeral services at Summers-Kistler Funeral Home in Olney with Pastor Jerry Bush and Brother Mark Hunt officiating. Burial in Crest Haven Memorial Park.

George was born July 26, 1956, in Olney, Illinois, to parents Charles and Wanita (Windsor) Martin. He married Kathy (Sherman) Martin on December 30, 1988, in Olney.

George graduated from East Richland High School in 1974, Olney Central College in 1976, and then he attended Northeast Missouri State University. He later continued his education receiving his bachelor's from Eastern Illinois University in 1992. He attained his master's degree from Eastern Illinois University in 2003.

George was a physical education and drivers' education instructor at Jasper County Unit #1 in Newton, Illinois, for 19 years. He was an assistant baseball coach for three years, freshman basketball coach for eight years, and was head golf coach for 18 years. He was also employed at ERHS summers drivers' education program for 12 years.
George was very well known for his dedicated career as a sports official. He was known by his referee buddies as "Chickn George Martin." He was an IHSA basketball official for more than 30 years. He had the elite opportunity to officiate at the Boys IHSA State Finals twice. He officiated GRAC Junior College Basketball for 22 years and was a GLVC Division II official for five years. He also umpired baseball and softball at the high-school and junior-college level.

George loved being with and entertaining friends. He was a jokester with a quick wit. George was proud of the fact that anywhere he went within a 100-mile radius he would run into someone he knew. He was a diehard Cardinals and Illini fan.
He had many hobbies, including hunting, fishing, and, of course, golf. He spent a lot of time at Richland Country Club, where he never passed up the opportunity to play and socialize.

George was a dedicated and proud husband, father, and grandfather. He loved spending time with his family.  George was a Christian and a member of Mt. Gilead Church, IHSA, a charter member of the Southeastern Illinois Basketball Association, and Richland Country Club.

George is survived by wife, Kathy Martin, of Olney; daughter, Lindsey Martin, of Olney; son, Chad Martin, of Olney; granddaughter, Riley Jo Kraus; sister, Sally Siesky and husband Larry, of Evansville, Ind.; and nephew, Chris Wood and wife Rosen, of Decatur.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law, Diane and Donald Wood, nephew, Brian Michael Wood, and nephew, Patrick Aaron Johnson.
Memorials may be made to Mayo Alzheimer's Disease Research Center.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL) - April 28, 2014