Porfirio S. "Pilo" Martinez Sr.

Porfirio V. "Pilo" Martinez Sr., age 83, of Galesburg, Illinois, passed away at 5:00 am on Friday, December 12, 2014 at Marigold Nursing Home. He was born on February 26, 1931 in Brackettville, Texas the son of Felipe and Isabel (Valverde) Martinez. He was reared and educated in the Brackettville area and attended school there. Pilo married Raquel Munoz Huerta in Del Rio, Texas and she preceded him in death on November 26, 2001. He worked as a City Employee and Part District Employee in the State of Texas as a landscaper. Pilo retired from State of Texas and moved to the Galesburg area. He sheared sheep locally and passed on his skill to several youngsters. Pilo was also a woodworker and he made many airplanes for his grandchildren. He played guitar and often entertained at the local nursing homes. He was an excellent landscaper and very much enjoyed gardening. Most of all, Pilo loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Pilo is survived by six daughters; Irma Martinez of Galesburg, IL, Veronica Martinez of Cameron, IL, Grace (Robert) McGee of Roundrock, TX, M. Sarah (Kevin) Neimann of Monmouth, IL, Ruth Martinez Brentise of Cameron, IL, and Raquel Martinez of Galesburg, IL, two sons; Porfirio H. Martinez Jr. of Galesburg, IL and Noel Martinez of Galesburg, IL, fifteen grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Four sisters and one brother also survive from Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, daughter Margot Martinez, brother Fleck, and granddaughter Coleen McGee. Services:Cremation is being accorded. No services are currently planned.