"Rita, I am so sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine what you are going through. God bless."
In loving memory of
Nicole R. Martin-Marler
August 20, 2014
Nicole R. Martin-Marler, age 35, of 337 Evergreen Dr. East, and formerly of Elgin, IL, died Wednesday, August 20, 2014, at 6:22 am in her home.
Nicole was born December 21, 1978 in Elgin, Illinois, the daughter of Gary and Rita Zumbek Martin.
Nicole was a very quiet child who could play for hours by herself. We would have to go and check on her just to ease our parent minds. She was stubborn and tenacious. She loved to read and to write poetry, to play the piano, and to bake cookies. She always thought of others before she thought of herself. She was a child of God and had a very strong faith for her salvation.
When she was diagnosed with mitochondrial myopathy (Kearnes-Sayer Syndrome) she fought against the reality of her deteriorating body. The doctor said she would not survive past puberty. She showed them! During school she would fight to appear and to be as "normal" as possible. She refused to use a cane. When the blindness won the battle, she strived to be independent. She graduated with high honors from Elgin High School in 1997. She married, bore a child, divorced, and survived pneumonia multiple times. The weakness took hold, and she slowly found simple tasks difficult.
As we watched her struggles and her triumphs, we thanked God that we were privileged to have this loving, beautiful person in our midst.
Survivors include: her son, Lancer Scott Marler of Quincy; her parents, Gary and Rita Martin; a brother, Tim (Jessica) Martin of Elgin, IL; a nephew and niece, Elijah and Ryleigh Martin of Elgin, IL; her maternal grandmother, Deloris Lyduch of Carpentersville, IL; her paternal grandmother, Dorothy Martin of Sarasota, FL; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins
Services: 2:00 pm Sunday, August 24, 2014 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, with Pastor Greg Wilhelm officiating.
Visitation: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Saturday August 23, 2014 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home
Memorials: National Federation for the Blind or Muscular Dystrophy Association
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.
Tributes
"as someone who knew her for as many years as i did, i can say that while it is sad, she is no longer suffering and that brings peace. to be absent from the body is to be present with the lord. i know this to be true. she will be mist on earth but the angels are rejoicing in heaven. i feel sad she's gone but at peace because she knew the lord and lived a life pleasing to god as she lived by setting a godly example for those around her. she's in heaven where there is no pain or suffering. she is healed of all of her earthly infirmities and is with the lord jesus christ. god bless"
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. May God be with you; He will grant you the grace, courage and fortitude that is needed. God bless!"
"Sorry to hear of Nicole's passing. My prayers and thoughts are with you all at this difficult time. Dee Neylon"
"My thoughts and prayers are with you Rita and Gary. May your faith and the love of your friends be a comfort to you at this very difficult time."
"Gary and Rita, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time of sorrow. Nicole sure showed the world how keeping a positive attitude and not giving up helped her achieve the successes she did in her short life. God Bless you all, Corrine"
"It broke my heart, when I heard about Nicole's passing. I have truly been blessed for having the honor to worship and pray with her. I am so sorry for the pain you must be feeling, and ask God to comfort you and fill your heart with loving memories of Nicole. I ask a special prayer for Lancer, That God will keep him safe and protected, and that he can find comfort in knowing his mom is now in the loving arms of Jesus. You are in my thoughts and in my prayers, Sister Carol"
"We were sadden to learn of Nicole's passing. Yet, we rejoice that Nicole and Lancer were able to be with us in Sunday Morning service. How close we will hold the memories of meeting and developing a friendship with Nicole, Lancer Rita, and Gary. What a hope that we shall meet again where there will be no more parting, no sickness and no mourning. What a Day That Will Be! You folks are in our prayers. Please stay in touch. Love you all dearly. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Rev. 21:4) Bro. & Sis. William Morris"