Martin R. Conway, Janesville  (1920 - 2012)

July 21, 1920 - January 18, 2012
Martin R. Conway, age 91, of Janesville, died on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, at Mercy Hospital & Trauma Center. He was born in Janesville on July 21, 1920, the son of Martin and Anna (Dawson) Conway. He graduated from Janesville High School in 1938, UW Stout in 1951, with his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in 1962. Martin served in the U.S. Air Force during WWII from 1942 to 1945 in the Pacific Theater. He married Helen J. Bahr on Nov. 27, 1952, at St. Patrick’s Church, Eau Claire, WI. He taught at Blackhawk Technical College for 30 years, teaching Auto Mechanics and Drivers Training. He was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Janesville, where he served as an usher for over 50 years. Martin was a life member of VFW Post 1621. He was a volunteer at the Rock County Home, Meals on Wheels and Apostolate to the Handicapped. Martin received the George P. Hambrecht Memorial Award in 1980 as a member of the WVA for 25 years of service, and then in May of 1985 he received the “Teacher of the Year” award. On Dec. 23, 1985, he was honored by Governor Anthony Earl and President Ronald Reagan on his dedication to education and for never having missed a day of class due to ill health for 30 years. In June of 2005, he was awarded the AARP Driver Safety “Volunteer of the Year” for more than 10 years as an AARP Driver Safety Instructor. Martin enjoyed golf and achieved a Hole in One, bowling, War Bird meetings, his monthly luncheons with BTC colleagues and especially spending time with his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Helen Conway; two daughters, Diane Conway of Janesville and Debra (Timothy) Modra of Washougal, WA; two grandsons, Bryan L. Schoonover of Savannah, GA, and Grant (Alyssa) M. Schoonover of Rincon, GA; great-grandson, Eliot Schoonover of Rincon, GA; three sisters: Catherine Grebe and Margaret (Donald) Disch, both of Janesville and Dr. Anna Marie Ettinger of Fenton, MI; and two sisters-in-law, Alice Conway and Delores Conway of Janesville. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, James and Francis Conway.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, at ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, with Rev. Stephen J. Umhoefer officiating. Interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Sunday from 2 until 5 p.m. at SCHNEIDER APFEL SCHNEIDER & SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY where there will be a rosary service at 5 p.m. lead by Fr. David Kunz. For online condolences and registry: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com.