Joseph Martin "Marty" Quillen

Joseph Martin Quillen, 79, of Mt. Pleasant died Monday, October 27, 2003, at the Isabella County Medical Care Facility. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating his life will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Robert Byrne presiding. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Beal City. Friends may call at Lux Funeral Home on Wednesday from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. with a vigil service beginning at 7:30 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Thursday from 10-11 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Church or to the VFW Post 3033. Envelopes are available at Lux Funeral Home. Martin was born Nov. 8, 1923, in Mt. Pleasant, the son of Joseph and Katherine (Pohl) Quillen. He married Clara Mae Schafer on Jan. 31, 1948, at St. Philomena Church in Beal City.As a veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II, he served in India, Burma, and China as a member of the 3732nd Quarter Master Trucking Company. His duty was to carry supplies to troops in the field. Martin worked at General Motors as a crane operator for over 20 years, retiring in 1985. He was an avid sports fan who enjoyed bowling and especially baseball and softball, the latter of which he played until he was 50. In more recent years he enjoyed playing horseshoes and fishing. He was a member of the VFW Post 3033 and a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church. Martin is survived by his wife of 55 years, Clara Mae Quillen of Mt. Pleasant; five children, Linda (Sid) Lundquist of Lansing, Martin (Connie) Quillen of Clio, Rebecca Quillen of Mt. Pleasant, Charles Quillen of Mt. Pleasant and Joseph Quillen of Long Island, NY; six grandchildren, Kevin, Ross and Ryan Lundquist and George, Frank and Glenn Quillen; three brothers, Patrick Quillen and Jack Quillen, both of Mt. Pleasant and James Quillen of Pewamo; three sisters, Viola Sheahan of Mt. Pleasant, Agnes (Tom) Evans of Kalamazoo and Marilyn Quillen of Mt. Pleasant; a brother-in-law, William Spencer of Mt. Pleasant; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph in 1972 and Katherine in 1984; daughter, Brenda Quillen in 1970; son, William Martin Quillen in 1973; and four sisters, Stella Parker, Mildred Quillen, Rose Ellen DeShane and Colleen Spencer. Martins family would like to thank the devoted staff at Isabella County Medical Care Facility for all their kindness.