Published on August 15, 2026 8:53 am
Last Updated on August 16, 2026 6:21 pm
Stephen J. “Steve” Martin, 70, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham. In lieu of a visitation, Steve wanted a party to celebrate his life and any and all friends and family are welcome. The Celebration of Life will follow at the Effingham Event Center, “The Hall Bar and Patio,” from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026. In Steve’s honor, the family encourages those attending the Celebration of Life to wear Hawaiian shirts or their favorite band T-shirt. Private burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery in Teutopolis. Services are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org/donate/. Online condolences may be shared at www.johnsonandsonsfh.com.
Stephen was born on September 22, 1955, in Effingham, IL, the son of Lewis and Patricia (Feldhake) Martin. He married Lori Wendt, daughter of Frank and Mildred (Coriell) Wendt, on May 7, 1983, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Teutopolis, IL. Steve was a larger-than-life man who never met a stranger. He had a gift for making others feel as though they had known him their whole lives, and he took joy in meeting new friends. Steve was knowledgeable in many fields and full of wisdom and life lessons. He was a lifelong entrepreneur and retired after serving as the manager of the Knights of Columbus Hall, now the Effingham Event Center, for 12 years. He loved music, golf, fishing, and traveling, but most of all, he loved his family and friends.
Steve is survived by his wife, Lori Martin of Effingham; children, Stephanie (Gabe) Rauch and Lewis (Brooke) Martin; grandchildren, Millie Rauch, Mayzie Rauch, Maren Martin, and Anders Martin; siblings, Lynn (Phil) Tuman, Bill (Judy) Martin, Debbie (Joe) Ungrund, and Susie (Kenny) Cornell; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Phyllis (John) Nichols, Jane (Ed) Kistner, Vincent (Nancy) Wendt, Mary Wendt, and Jeanne Wendt; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Patricia Martin; his parents-in-law, Frank and Mildred Wendt; and his brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Philip Wendt, Timothy Wendt,
Leonard and Betty Wendt.