Vera Ann Martinez

Vera Ann Martinez, 94, of Ottawa, passed away December 31, 2024 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

A visitation will be held on Monday, January 6, from 4:00pm until 6:00pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, January 7, at 10:30am, at St. Patrick's Church. Burial will follow at St. Columba Cemetery.

Vera was born July 5, 1930, in Ottawa, IL, to Luciano and Herminia (Castelligia) Rosales. She married Sylvester Martinez on September 9, 1961. He preceded her in death on September 17, 1990.

Over the years, she worked at J Porters, Ryburn King Hospital, Libby Owens, Ottawa Care Center, and finally retired at 80 years old as an in home care giver. When she wasn't working, she enjoyed the outdoors, going for walks to the park or going to the beach. She was an avid gardener and was an animal lover and enjoyed going to the zoo. She enjoyed dancing, doing word searches, and meeting new people. More than anything, she loved her family. She always enjoyed getting together to celebrate birthdays, babysitting the grandchildren, and spending as much time as she could with them. She was a member of St. Columba Church, VFW, and the First Federal Fun Timers Club.

She is survived by her children, Thomas Martinez, Anthony Martinez, Arlene (Don) Halm, and Sheila Marie (Edward) Zeman; 8 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Luciano and Herminia; her husband, Sylvester; and her siblings, Mary Ruiz, Amador Rosales, Anna Lee Rosales, Arlene Elliott, Rose Rosales, Patrick (Raymond) Rosales, and Max Rosales.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Justin Farmer, Jared Farmer, Michael Martinez, and Christian Martinez; and Phillip Rosales and David Elliott. Honorary pallbearer will be Don Halm.

Memorials may be directed to her family.