Martin Lee Shonk

Martin Lee Shonk, 92, formerly of Annapolis, IL, passed from this life on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, at Willowbrook Memory Care in Marshall, IL. He was born November 7, 1928, near Porterville, IL, the third of six children born to James E. Shonk & Goldie B. (Randolph) Shonk, both of whom preceded him in death. He married the love of his life, Ruth Gower, on April 18, 1947, and they enjoyed 66 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on Thursday, July 18, 2013. He was also preceded in death by his sisters & brothers-in-law, Sarah & Arlie Guyer and Betty & Charles Tuttle; by his brothers & sisters-in-law, Edward & Lois Shonk and Thomas & Betty Shonk; by his sister-in-law, Joan Shonk; by his oldest son, Michael Shonk; and by his daughter-in-law, Mary Shonk. Martin was a man who loved his family and often said that his life truly didn't begin until he had kids. Left to mourn his passing are two daughters & sons-in-law, Connie & Max Evans (Robinson, IL) and Patricia & Mark Brown (Annapolis, IL); two sons, Mark Shonk (Robinson, IL) and Andrew Shonk (Marshall, IL); his grandchildren & their spouses, Jeff & Maynell Evans, Ryan & Angi Evans, Matthew & Jen Graham, Chad & Janelle Graham, Amy & Tommy Fazio, Whitney & Adam Lueken, Michael Shonk, Natalie Shonk, and twins Landyn and Lyndee Shonk; his great-grandchildren, Ashtyn, Carter, Payton, Reagan, Isabella, Abigail, Maria, Madilyn, Chelsea, and Caden; his brother, Jacob Shonk; as well as several nieces and nephews. Martin grew up in the Porterville area and attended Porterville School before graduating from Robinson High School in 1946. From an early age, he had a penchant for baseball, which drove him to try out for the St. Louis Cardinals at the age of 22. Though he didn't make the cut, this same passion drove him to manage the Crawford County Babe Ruth team for many years, including the team that went to State in 1979. Though he kept record books on all the MLB teams, he was, by all accounts, a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan. One of the highlights of his life was being able to watch the boys in blue finally win the World Series in 2016. Much more than his passion for baseball was his affinity for the farm. Anyone who knew him could attest to the fact that grain and cattle farming was more than a job to Martin: it was a way of life. His work ethic was the stuff of legend and never seemed to let up at any point over his 57-year career. A man who loved the soil, he was a longtime member of the Crawford County Farm Bureau and the NFO. He was also a member of the Ruritan Club, where he loved to socialize (after all, the man didn't know a stranger.) It has been said that it takes faith to be a farmer, and for Martin, this rings true. Though he attended the Highland Avenue Baptist Church, his faith was made known in the way he lived his life and trusted in his Heavenly Father's provision. We find both hope and assurance in that for Martin, his faith has been made sight. A time of visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 17th at the Highland Avenue Baptist Church in Robinson, IL. A memorial service will immediately follow and will be held at 12:00 p.m. at the church with Rev. Jerry McDaniel officiating. Memorials may be made to the "Mount Pleasant Cemetery", with envelopes available at the church. The Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson is in charge of arrangements. *Please note that COVID-19 guidelines will be followed. Thusly, masks and social distancing will be required on-premises.*