Dorothea Mae (Gahan) Martin, age 86, of Flora, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 3, 2015, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, Illinois, with her two daughters by her side.

   The second daughter of Meryl “TaTa” and Faun (Miller) Gahan, Dorothea was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan on November 21, 1928.  As a child, she enjoyed music, playing the piccolo in band, swimming, going to movies, and cooking.  She spent part of her youth in Flora and also went to high school for a few years at Oak Park River Forest High School.  Following high school, she attended SIU Carbondale where she received a Home Economics Degree and was a charter member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. Dorothea lived for a time in California and attended U.C. Santa Barbara. Dorothea went on to complete her Masters Degree in Education from U of I in Champaign, IL.  One of her many accomplishments was creating the curriculum for early childhood education for the State of Illinois.  Dorothea began her teaching career in Oak Lawn, IL and then went on to teach Home Economics at Flora High School for over 22 years.

   Dorothea and her husband, Dr. Harold L. Martin had an amazing love affair.  They courted for over a decade before being married in 1958.  They settled down in Flora where together they opened his dental practice and launched their business.  Together they had three children, Harold L. Martin II, Linda, and Dorlisa.  Family was the center of their lives and Dorothea was the biggest booster and fan of all her children in everything-on the court, on the stage, and in life.  She was a gracious woman who enjoyed life to the fullest and shared her many passions with her loving husband, three children, seven grandchildren, and those she touched through her many years of teaching at Flora High School.

   Dorothea truly enjoyed spending time at holidays and gatherings with all her family, especially her seven grandchildren.  She had special connections with each one of them and enjoyed the laughter and love that filled her home when they all visited.  Dorothea was surrounded by a special group of women, her “angels” here on earth, who over the last several years, have been like family as they have cared for her.

   Dorothea is survived by her beloved husband: Dr. Harold L. Martin of Flora; two daughters: Linda Martin Ray (husband Kevin) of Springfield and Dorlisa Martin Good (husband David) of Downers Grove; daughter-in-law: Cynthia Dillon Martin of Hinsdale; and seven grandchildren: Harold Lee Martin III, Donny Martin, Michael Ray, Taylor Ray, Paxton Ray, Lindsey Renee Good, and Jenna Mae Good.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her son: Harold L. Martin II, a sister: Edythe Morray, and two nephews: Richard and Rob Morray.

   A funeral service for Dorothea Martin will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, September 7, 2015, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora with visitation from 12:30 p.m. until the hour of service on Monday at the funeral home.  Interment will be in Elmwood Cemetery.  Memorial donations may be given to Clay County Cancer Crusaders and will be accepted at the funeral home.