On Thursday, Sept.22, 2022, in the very early hours of the morning, God called and needed someone very special to help out in heaven. There must have been golfers in distress, and a shortage of jovial and witty truck drivers.

Upon arrival, Hattie and Dean Lorance, Marty’s beloved parents, father-in-law Larry Marshall, and mother-in-law Nancy Marshall Metz were there to greet him at the gate.

How happy he must have been!

Leaving his wife and best friend of almost 39 years, Melanie, their precious daughter, Claire, and her husband Ryan, along with his 2 beautiful granddaughters Zoe Marie and Avery Mae, would be the ultimate challenge, but God was calling.

Diagnosed with congestive heart failure one year ago, Marty and Melanie fought hard to maintain his health. After a month-long hospital stay followed by four months of dialysis, Marty was finally on the mend. Dialysis ended on Valentine’s Day, and he had returned to the work he loved so much. Unfortunately, his health began to decline once again and preparations to retire began.  But retirement was not to be, as the heavenly golfers by now had become extremely restless.

Marty had one brother, Mike Jones, three brothers-in-law: Lonnie Marshall (Barb), Kevin Marshall, and Barry Marshall (Beth). One sister-in-law, Michelle Alexander. He was also blessed with three nieces: Kristen Nichols, Maddie Marshall, and Aubrey Alexander, seven nephews: Beau Jones, Alex Alexander, Aaron Alexander, Michael Marshall, Garrett Marshall, Brett Marshall and Ben Marshall, and a host of cousins, great nieces and nephews.

Marty was born and raised in Springfield and graduated with his Class of 1974. He attended college briefly. Discovering that his heart was in the family business, Lorance Trucking, he left college and began working in the business his dad had begun in 1949. He expanded the business to include excavating and eventually roll-off containers. He then was one of the first in Springfield to have gravel “slinger” trucks which made placing gravel on job sites more convenient for builders. He was so proud of his business. It was always important to him to provide the best of service, and he did. He had made many dear friends over the course of his career.

Marty was also an avid golfer. It was always unclear to me which he loved more, his golfing buddies, or the game itself. He always came home with a funny story to tell about the time he spent on the course with dear friends.

Marty had so many admirable characteristics. He was a loyal and devoted friend to so many. He treated people with respect and dignity, and never hesitated to strike up a conversation with anyone willing to engage! It was always easy to tell when he was feeling good. You would get a phone call and he’d typically have you instantly laughing with one of his many unique salutations. He loved to laugh and found humor in virtually everything. His passing has been devastating to his family and friends alike.

When I leave this world and cross into the next, I’ll be looking for his precious face at the gate.

Services for Marty will be at 11:00 am Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at Greenlawn Funeral Home East. Interment will follow at Rivermonte Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Tuesday, September 27, 2022 in the funeral ho

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to Rescue One animal shelter.