“And in the end, it’s not the years in the life that counts, it’s the life in the years” –Abraham Lincoln 

Jason “Red” M. Martin, age 34 of Carlyle passed away Friday October 23, 2009 at Washington County Hospital in Nashville, IL.  He was born June 4, 1975 in Belleville, IL the son of Ronald and Pamela (Wagner) Martin of Lebanon, IL. Jason Married Jill Zurliene on June 15, 2000 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Carlyle.

Jason was a 1994 graduate of Lebanon High School. After high school he became a member of Carpenters Local 480 in Freeburg and has been employed with family owned Martin Roofing for the last 14 years.  He loved his work. Jason was an avid outdoorsman who loved to deer hunt and fish. He was also a race fan, and part of race teams in Highland and Belleville.

“Red” was also a great basketball coach and loved teaching kids the sport. He cherished any time spent with family and friends; he was always brightening someone’s day.

Jason is survived his wife Jill; two daughters Jenna and Jaclyn; his parents, Ronald and Pamela Martin; a sister, Angela Ware and husband Troy of Lebanon, IL; a brother, David Martin and wife Marianne of Shiloh, IL; twelve nieces and nephews, Christian, Wayde, and Trygg Martin, Conner, Taylor, Joshua, and Grace Ware, Braden and Peyton Aschemann; parents-in-law Ron and Jane Zurliene of Carlyle, IL; sisters-in-law Amy Holtmann and husband Nathan, Kara Aschemann and husband Aaron; brothers-in-law John Zurliene and wife Jamie, Mark Zurliene and Fiancé Rachel Schmitt; three aunts, Robert  Brendel and wife Diane, Nancy Dunning and husband William, Brenda Kohlbrecher and husband Kurt, Marilyn Quitmeyer and husband Kevin; three uncles, Robert  Brendel and wife Diane John Wagner, Lee Wagner and wife Donna.

Jason was preceded in death by his grandparents Dave and Jeanette Martin, Leroy and Rose Wagner, and a few dear and close friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Church in Carlyle on Tuesday October 27, 2009 at 11:00 AM with Fr George Mauck & Brenda Pehle officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Carlyle.

Visitation will be held Monday from 4-9:00 PM and on Tuesday from 8:00 to 10:30 AM at the Frerker Funeral Home.

Expressions of sympathy may be left for Jason’s family by visiting www.frerkerfuneral.com