Marty D. Mahnesmith, 63, Galesburg, IL for the first time since March 9, 1977, stood, pushed his wheelchair aside, and walked through the gates of heaven at 12:42 am November 2, 2019 greeted by God and loved ones passed before him while those left to cherish his memory here on Earth bid him farewell.
Marty was born June 22, 1956 to Jay D. and Pauline G. (Webb) Mahnesmith in Galesburg, IL. They preceded him in death. The third of eight children, Marty could be mischievous and quite the handful because of his “You gotta do what you gotta do” attitude.
Marty attended Galesburg High School then worked at Star gas station and then at Butler Manufacturing up until his motorcycle accident left him paralyzed. He did not let this unfortunate incident define who he was as a person. He later went back to school and took night classes to earn the credit he needed to get his diploma. He attended Carl Sandburg College for a period of time and if it were not for him, his youngest brother may have never attended college and be where he is today. Later, Marty helped and was a partner in the family business, Mahnesmith Salvage, alongside his parents. He was a door greeter at Walmart for a period of time.
Marty married Lori Sweeney on February 13, 1987 in Galesburg and later divorced. Through this marriage, he became father to Stephanie (Tim) Steele of Galesburg and Phillip “PJ” (Hillary) Sweeney Effingham, Illinois a role he cherished always.
Marty is also survived by his sisters Paula (Gene) Shores of Knoxville, Joyce (Herman) Darby, Angie Mahnesmith, and Michelle (Greg) Carns all of Galesburg; brothers Jeffrey “Skip” (Donna) Mahnesmith of Galesburg, Victor (Maureen) Mahnesmith of Gilson, and Phillip (Julie) Mahnesmith of Festus, Missouri. Marty is also survived by brother-in-law, Clyde Hendricks, of Mt. Pulaski, IL, five grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
In his younger years, Marty was quite the partier and enjoyed his beer-drinking ways. He could out drink most anyone and could party with the best of them. He gave up that lifestyle, when due to complications of being confined to a wheelchair for so long, he needed a kidney transplant. He was a 15 year kidney transplant survivor and was proud of the fact that Dr. Srini considered him a poster-child of “doing what he should do to keep the kidney healthy.”
Marty enjoyed fishing, listening to all kinds of music, going to the Blues Fest every year in both the Quad Cities and Peoria, playing the slots, and he had a love for motorcycles. He loved his cat, Izzy. He enjoyed the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears. He enjoyed bowling in the M.A.D.D. bowling league in Peoria until arthritis would no longer allow. He shot pool on a couple of leagues for a few years and enjoyed playing pool on his phone. He would play until his phone went dead. He was a former member of Disabled Individuals Getting In Touch (D. I. G. – I. T.). Most of all he enjoyed hanging out with family and friends and trying to live life to its fullest. For the most part he had a positive outlook on life, was very independent, and tried to smile every day.
Visitation will be Thursday, November 7, 2019 from 5:00 -7:00 p.m. at Hinchliff- Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Graveside services will be Friday, November 8, 2019 at noon at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Galesburg with Jordan Knight officiating. Casual attire is preferred. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Hinchliff- Pearson-West to help pay for funeral expenses. Friends and family are also invited to the New Life Fellowship church in Wataga after the services to celebrate the life of Marty Dean Mahnesmith. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
