Brett R. Martin

Brett R. Martin, 23, a resident of Champaign, Illinois and formerly of Long Grove, Iowa & Silvis, Illinois, died Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at his home in Champaign.
Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M., Monday, July 5, 2004 at St. Ann's Church, Long Grove. Visitation will be 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Sunday at the church where a prayer vigil service will be held at 4:00 P.M.. Additional visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the service on Monday morning. Burial will be in St. Ann's Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Parkland College U.C.C. Campus Ministry to be put towards scholarships for work trips..
Brett was born in Geneseo, Illinois on September 12, 1980, the son of Gregg & Beth (Pratt) Martin. He was a 1999 graduate of North Scott High School, Eldridge, IA where he participated in band and chess club. In addition, he participated in youth functions at St. Ann's Church, where he was a lifelong member. He attended Parkland College in Champaign, majoring in Special Education and was employed at the Olive Garden Restaurant. Brett was very active in the U.C.C. Campus Ministry in Champaign. Among the other things he enjoyed were electronic gaming, computer technology, camping along the Wapsipinicon River, cooking, and reading.
Brett will always be remembered for the way he reached out to others. He was, by nature, a teacher. His outlook on life was inspiring to others and he led by example. Brett lived his life as if there were no tomorrow and today is the day that matters. He was kind, warm, intelligent, and courageous. He has left footprints in many peoples' lives and he will be remembered always.
Those left to honor his memory include his fiance' of two years, Sarah Manthey of Champaign; his mother and step-father, Beth & Doug Schwager of Long Grove; his father and step-mother, Gregg & Michelle Martin of Silvis, Illinois; his sister, Kelsey Schwager of Long Grove; his step-sisters, Kate Schwager of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Autumn Vols, and Valarie Vols, both of Silvis; his brother, Chad Martin of Palm Springs, California; his step-brother, Jeremy Vols of Silvis; his half-brother, Sean McIntire, in Hawaii; his grandmothers, Wilma Pratt of Geneseo, and Mary Schwager of Andrew, Iowa; his grandparents, Jack & Marilyn Byrne of Lynn Center, Illinois; his special friends, Amy, Seth, Mike, & Josh; and his friends in U.C.C. Campus Ministry in Champaign.
He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Jack Martin, Richard Pratt, & Alfred Schwager.