Rita A. Martin, 81, of Taylorville, IL, passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 12:48 p.m., at Springfield Memorial Hospital.  She was born September 22, 1942, in Taylorville, IL, the daughter of Raymond and Beulah (Durbin) Gaynor.  She married Thomas Vail in June of 1960.  Later in life, she married Bernard Martin in December of 1985. 

Surviving are her son, Thomas P. (Denise) Vail of Taylorville, IL; a stepson, Chuck (Mary Jo) Martin of Morrisonville, IL; her grandchildren, Eric (Brooke Declerck) Vail of Taylorville, Randy Vail of Taylorville, and Brad (Tori) Vail of Fairbanks, AK; her great-grandchildren, Liliella, Brody, Layla, Zeke, and Mabel Vail; her step-grandchildren, Allison (Adam) Wiley of Morris, IL, Kyle (Allison) Martin of Marine, IL, Amber Mann, her step-great-grandchildren, Andrew and Abigail Wiley, Tessa and Zach Martin; as well as her brother, Mike (Jean) Gaynor of Owaneco, IL.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard Martin; a stepdaughter, Kathy Mann; two brothers, Raymond Gaynor, Jr, and Tom Gaynor; two sisters, Janet Matthew and Beulah Martin

Rita graduated from Taylorville High School in 1960. She was an active member of the Catholic Daughters of America and owned a women’s clothing store. Along with her husband, Bernard, they owned and operated Martin Kennels for many years. In her spare time, she loved going down to the senior center to play cards and do puzzles. Rita also enjoyed going over to her son’s house to visit Tom and family and watch the daycare kids run around.

The family will receive family and friends at Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville, IL, from 11:00-1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2024.  The funeral service will immediately follow with Pastor Russ Burch officiating.  Burial will follow services at Fraley Cemetery in Taylorville, IL. Donations in memory of Rita may be made to Christian County Senior Citizens or Christian County Coal Mine Museum. Sutton Memorial Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at suttonmemorialhome.com