Carl Martin Whitney, known as Marty, passed away at Aperion Care in Marseilles, Illinois on October 25, 2021,  at the age of 67.  3 ½ years ago Marty gave the middle finger to cancer when he was told the best he could ask for was 3-6 months. Never tell a Whitney what they can or cannot do is the lesson we should take from that,  but if you know a Whitney, then you have surely already witnessed that lesson.

Marty was born at Ryburn Memorial Hospital in Ottawa, Illinois to Carl and Eloise (Collier) Whitney on July 19. He joined brothers Don, twins Gene and Dene, and sister Libby at home. Twins, Dennis and Denise would join him less than three years later. You read that right, two sets of twins. 

Marty and the Whitney kids ran wild all over ‘Hollywood’(as they called it back in their day) and the west side of Ottawa. They were having way too much fun and also possibly ruining the Whitney reputation for generations to come.

Marty was a veteran of the United States Navy.  After discharge, Marty lived a large portion of his life in the village of Utica, Illinois,  and had a special love for it and its townspeople. Marty enjoyed riding motorcycles. You may have seen him with one of his shelties riding on the gas tank of his bike. One time his beloved dog Cookie was riding with him,  wearing her leather jacket, when Marty was pulled over by the police. Marty asked what was the problem. He was told that his ‘passenger’ would need to wear eye protection. The next day, Cookie the dog rode with her own eyewear, fashioned by her dad Marty.

Marty was a sportsman in his younger years.  A hunter with expert knowledge in bow and arrows, black powder guns, rifles, pistols, shotguns, and all things ammo.  His niece Christal often compared him to the character Q in the 007 movies, who was the genius behind all of spies’ best gadgets.  If Marty could imagine it, he could build it.  He once modified a  TV remote control and a cane that could double as pistols.  The tv remote had to be hidden away so as to not accidentally change the channel permanently.

Marty held several jobs over his life. His recent journey had him working out of his own garage making custom projects through his own business appropriately titled,  “Custom Cool Sh!t”. He worked as a tree expert for Asplundh. Marty also worked for North American Hydro Operations, helping run the Dayton Dam.

Marty is survived by: his sister Libby (Jeff) Koenke; nephews Gene, Shon, Aaron and Todd; nieces Debbie, Christal and Kim, and his special friend, Janet McGowan. The family would like to extend its gratitude to the Illinois Cancer Care Center, Dr. Zaluduendo, and the staff at OSF Saint Elizabeth Radiation Oncology, Aperion Care of Marseilles, Compassus Hospice, and the staff at the New Oasis Family Restaurant, who always took great care of Marty. A graveside service will be scheduled at a later date.  Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Pet Project in Marseilles in hopes that some lucky pet finds their Marty someday.  To share a memory, please visit www.gladfelter-roetker.com or Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home on Facebook.