Martin "Marty" Olson, 75, of Washington, passed away at 7:35am Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at his home.

He was born October 14, 1946 in Oak Park to the late Nelle Gustafson Gerts and Roger Vail. He married JoAnn Goedert on January 14, 1983 in Pekin.

Surviving is his wife, JoAnn; his children, Tammy (Ron) Smith of Arkansas, Teresa (Kevin) Helems of East Peoria, and Eric (Marla) Olson of Green Valley; grandchildren, Mitch, Katlyn, Mason, Wyatt, Joel, Jessica, Devin, and Amber; 11 great-grandchildren; his extended Vail family; and his Pomeranian buddy, Harry.

He was also preceded in death by his twin brother Merle Olson and other siblings, Vernon and Verla Olson and Jack Gerts.

Marty was a proud Marine, serving as a crew chief with the Lucky Red Lions helicopter squadron HMM-363 during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 1969 and in later years, he became an active member of the Pop-a-Smoke USMC/Combat Helicopter Association. He went on to work as a project engineer for Caterpillar, retiring in 2009. He enjoyed golfing with the Sandtrappers, was an avid fisherman, was a league bowler, and a Cubs fan. Marty loved traveling and, most of all, spending time with his family.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00am Saturday, May 14, 2022 at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington. Visitation will be from 5-7:00pm Friday, May 13, 2022 at the funeral home. Interment will be at Glendale Cemetery in Washington.

Memorial contributions may be made to TAPS No Kill Animal Shelter in Pekin.