Martha Marshall Sloan

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.