Martha P. Emling's Obituary
Martha P. Emling, age 82, of Pinckneyville, IL passed away on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 4:30 a.m., peacefully in her home.
Martha was the only daughter of Charles and Ruby (Barr) Pope. She was born in Memphis, TN on September 29, 1942. Martha graduated from Whitehaven High School in 1961. She attended Union University in Jackson, TN where she met a handsome baseball player, Clayton Emling. They were married on August 24, 1963 in Whitehaven, TN. They spent 60 years of marriage and now they spend eternity together in Heaven.
Martha and Clay moved to Pinckneyville, after Clay finished Pharmacy School. Martha and Clay had a good life with their family, including gardening, traveling, and raising their family. Martha made home cooked meals for her family and ran an efficient home. Martha and Clay were active in their children’s activities including Pinckneyville Panthers Sports including Basketball, Football and Wrestling and the Dolphins Swim team. She and Clay never missed watching their kids in Junior High, High School or College sports. They were fortunate to do this all over again with their grandchildren. Martha and Clay led their children to know the Lord; and gave their grandchildren that opportunity too. She demonstrated love while caring for her dying mother, mother-in-law, and father-in-law.
Martha was active in many aspects of the community. While an active member at First Baptist Church, she was the church hostess for many years, taught Children’s Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, Women’s Missionary Director and planned the 150th Anniversary Church Celebration. She was an active member and President of the Pinckneyville Women’s Club. She was also a member of The National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, Beaucoup Creek Chapter. Martha served as the Regent (President) for 2 different 4-year terms, while also holding a variety of state positions in the Daughters of the American Revolution. Martha became a member of Holts Prairie Baptist Church later in life.
Survivors include her children, Elizabeth E. Shanklin of Pinckneyville IL, Rusty (Kathi) Emling of Chanute, KS, and Richard (Tanya) Emling of Pinckneyville, IL; grandchildren in birth order Kala (Seth) Baxter, Shelbi (Blake) Holmes, Peyton (Blaise) Emling, Syndi (Cameron) Dietsch, Emily Shanklin, Sophi Emling, and Kedric Emling; two step-grandchildren Hayden (Madison) Carter and Chris Galbraith; great-grandchildren Izabel, Drake, Jett, Ivy, Kasen, Clara, and one coming in November 2025; and her caregivers Maria, Shelly, Amanda, Romona, Dixie and Savannah.
Preceded in death by her loving husband Clayton; both her parents; and a son-in-law, Donald Shanklin.
Funeral services will be held at Holts Prairie Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, IL on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., with Brother Colin Hirsch officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Park, Du Quoin, IL.
Visitation will be held at the church on June 27, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., and again on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the family.
Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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