james Martin

James F. Martin, 74, of Sorento died on Friday, July 2, 2010 at 10:32 a.m. at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 6 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Perfetti Funeral Home, Sorento. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Dave Trover officiating. Burial will follow at Sunnyside Cemetery in Sorento.

He was born April 9, 1936 at Panama, the son of William E. and Lillian B. (McCoy) Martin. He married Patsy A. Chestnut on Aug. 19, 1972 at Hillsboro; she preceded him in death on Dec. 9, 2001. He was also preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Harrol Martin.

He worked as a coal miner, retiring from Monterey Coal Company. He attended schools in Pana and Hillsboro and served in the U.S. Army from 1958-1961. He was a member of the United Mine Workers of America, attended Vatterott College in 1995 and worked at Hillsboro Area Hospital in the maintenance department.

Survivors include one son, James (wife Michelle) Martin of St. Jacob; one daughter, Dena (husband Phillip) Petroline of Sorento; six grandchildren; one sister, Wilhelmina (husband Gene) DeGani of Panama; four stepsons, William Kunel, Darryl Kunkel, Larry Cruthis and David Cruthis; two step daughters, Karen Johnston and Deborah Kunkel; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association.