Wayne Lee Martin, 88, of Scales Mound, IL, passed away October 14, 2026, at Prairie Ridge of Galena, in Galena, IL.

Family and friends may call from 9:30 – 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at the Miller-Steinke Funeral Home in Scales Mound, where funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m., with Rev. Libby Rutherford officiating. Burial will follow in the Scales Mound Twp. Cemetery, with military honors by VFW Post # 2665 and American Legion Post # 193.

Wayne Martin was born on June 10, 1938, on the family farm established by his grandparents in Scales Mound, Illinois. He was the son of William and Edna (Wubbena) Martin.

Wayne graduated from Scales Mound High School in 1956 and later served in the United States Army. He was stationed near Mainz, Germany, where he was a Radio Teletypewriter Operator. During his service, he earned the Sharpshooter Badge for his proficiency with the M-14 rifle, an achievement he remained proud of throughout his life.

On July 17, 1971, between first and second crop hay, Wayne married Jane Luethke, a teacher at Scales Mound High School. Together, they raised two daughters, Janna and Leanne, and made their home on the same family farm where Wayne had been born and raised.

Wayne and Jane ran a dairy operation where they shared a lifetime of memories. Farming was more than Wayne’s occupation; it was his passion, his livelihood, and quite possibly his favorite conversation topic. No matter how a conversation began, it could usually find its way back to a farming relevant topic such as the weather or crop conditions. There was never a dull moment on the farm, and Wayne had a saying for it all: “It’s always something.”

Wayne was a voracious reader and an avid bird watcher. He had a particular fondness for westerns and World War II books, and he always had a pair of binoculars nearby, no matter where he was on the farm. He loved to share stories from the books he read and talk about the birds visiting his well-stocked feeders.

Wayne’s roots in the Scales Mound community ran deep, and he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and later the United Methodist Church.

Wayne was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was witty with a wonderful sense of humor, and his family and friends will always remember the stories and conversations that made him uniquely Wayne.

Wayne is survived by his daughters, Janna (Jeff Schmitt) and Leanne (Chris Steege); grandchildren, Gavin Schmitt, Mia Steege, and Mason Steege; sisters, Marlene Baker and Kay Redfearn, along with their families.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jane Martin; his parents, William and Edna Martin; his parents-in-law, Ernest and Ruth Luethke; his brother, Eugene Martin; his brothers-in-law, Bernard Baker, Charles Deppe, and Leonard Redfearn; and his nephew and best man, Randy Baker.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Northwestern Illinois Community Action Agency Golden Meals at nicaa.org/service/golden-meals.

The family extends its heartfelt thanks to the staff at Prairie Ridge of Galena and Dr. Gregory Vandigo for the kind and compassionate care they provided to Wayne.