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Martin Leonard Gmeiner of Hinsdale, Illinois passed away peacefully with his family by his side, Friday May 5, 2023. Marty was born in Neenah, Wisconsin on March 1, 1941 to parents Janet and Seymore. Marty is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy Nelson Gmeiner, his two daughters Kimberly Williams and Alicia Gmeiner, his son in law, Michael Williams, his two grandsons Charlie and Max Williams, his sister Susie Frost and brother Tom Gmeiner, three nephews and their families: Jeff Frost, Eric (Jessa Wallendal) Frost, Chris (Lindsay Hufford) Frost, niece Carrie Gmeiner Cole and her husband Phil Cole.
Marty was a Hinsdale Rotarian and honored to serve as Rotarian president in 1985. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed many rounds at his favorite clubs and courses with family and friends. He also loved fly fishing and cast fishing at his family's cottage in White Lake, Wisconsin. He cherished family time at the cottage especially family jam sessions around the bonfire on the beach.
Marty grew up in Highland Park, Illinois and attended Highland Park High School where he met his lifelong golfing buddies, adventurers and dear friends: Barry Golden, Bill Phillips, Bob Luckman, Charlie Dixon, Harry Vignocchi, John Scornavaco, Ronnie Foreman and Wayne Bellei.
After high school, Marty attended Miami of Ohio on a golf scholarship and joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. After college Marty worked for Shell Oil company and met his beautiful wife Nancy while living in downtown Chicago. In 1978 Marty moved his family to Hinsdale when had an opportunity to purchase the Arco ampm on the corner of York and Ogden in Hinsdale. This would soon become the Shell Food Mart. As he continued to purchase other stations along the way, one of which he owned with his dear brother Tom, he formed DCT, Inc. (Dream Come True, Incorporated). Marty's entrepreneurial spirit never faded. In 1995 he helped found The Royal Buying Group with business partner and loyal friend, Bob Juckniess.
In 2008, John Archer and Robin Gabriel, Marty's 25 year trusted employees purchased the Shell Food Mart from him and still run the store today.
Marty was a true gentleman and mentor to many. He never left a stone unturned, and accomplished every dream he set his mind to in life. He will always be remembered for his generosity, drive and perseverance. He put family and friends before himself, always. He had many favorite expressions and mannerisms that all who knew him will never forget.
A visitation will be held Monday May 22nd from 4-7pm at Adolf Funeral Home 7000 S Madison St. Willowbrook Il, 60527. Family and Friends will meet at Union Church of Hinsdale 137 S Garfield Hinsdale Tuesday May 23rd for Celebration of Life Service at 10am.
Powell Funeral Directors
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Heather Axelrod (Alberts)
So touching. Marty was always one of the good guys. Sending love and sympathy to all.
Heather Axelrod Alberts
Gene ALTMAN, M. D.
Oh, No, not Marty!
If the class of '59 had a Tom Cruise, it would have been Marty. He was a solid human being, a good person who could also be wild. When Marty's mother was out of town, the party was always at his house. One time, I woke up in his mother's fur coat. Don't ask me why, I really couldn't tell you. Marty was a top-notch athlete. He excelled in football, basketball, and golf. I remember trying to guard him at varsity basketball tryouts. Let's just say Marty made Varsity and I didn't. Marty's death makes me sad, but his life gave me great joy.
Penny Allderdice (Weisskopf)
Sorry to wake up to such sad news. I went to Miami of Ohio with Marty. We were good friends in highschool and college. Haven't seen him since I transferred to U. of Illinois, except once at his home in Florida with his wife Nancy many years ago. He really was a great guy, fun to be around and interested in everybody. My heart goes out to Nancy and his family. Rest in peace, Marty.
Steven Seiler
This is very sad news! Marty was a great guy, gifted athlete and a wonderful caring person. I was blessed to know him at HPHS and am most grateful for having him in my life. Blessings to his family and Blerss his soul.
Annie Seyfarth (Monroe)
Marty was my 'first boyfriend' in junior high (Edgewood). Ahh, those were the days. A dear, gentle guy...a good friend...a great athlete. My thought and prayers....and love go out to his loving family.
Annie
Ronald Weiland
Marty was a winner, from Day one. We met my freshman year in High School and met formally at an open house in Ravinia. Our Dates were best friends and Marty and I sat in the back of a convertible drinking beers and exchanging real stories about our personal lives. For some reason, we just connected and throughout our lives, we always communicated. his choice of buddies was his, some I did not care for but we still managed to have a personal bond that felt unique. I remember distinctly when I lived in Sausalito he called about a business matter with his shell enterprises and we talked for about 2 hours and he hung up thanking me for sharing my thoughts with him.
He called me every year inviting me to the Reunions and I never had the inclination to attend, but the thought of him calling me was classic Marty. When I received my Diagnosis of Pulmonary Hypertension and was told it was always fatal I called him and of all the calls I have had his life wisdom stuck with me, especially through some dark days.
This insidious Disease gives me 4-6 months to live, but I have heard that for the past 2 years. I told Marty that along with a few other parallels, we laughed our asses off.
When I read this my eyes welled up 2-3 times that day, I wish we could go back and spend time with people who truly mattered, I would Meet Marty at a reunion.
God Bless Marty and all who loved him like I did and still do.
George Harmon
Marty’s memorial today was a fine tribute to a fine man. More than 200 attended at the venerable Union Church in a gorgeous Chicago suburb, Hinsdale. They applauded the elegy of his elder daughter, Kim Williams, who called him “a legend of a man” who never stopped being a gentleman, even in the throes of Parkinson’s disease near the end of his life. As a husband, father and grandfather, she said, he was wonderful. When she faced a difficult juncture in life, he would tell her, “The answer will always be no, unless you ask. So just ask.”
The pastor, Robb Kneupfer, stressed Marty’s humility, optimism, integrity, generosity, perseverance, stability, lack of procrastination, his powerful handshake—of course—and his ability to put family and friends before himself. “Humility,” Kneupfer said, “was his mantra.” He helped many people in the community, never seeking recognition, Kneupfer said, making him the embodiment of Rotary (Marty served a term as president): “Service above self.”
And there were a couple of golf stories. About how he once asked Tiger Woods to line up his putt. Also, as Marty had told ’59 classmates, about how he collapsed on the golf course and his caddie saved his life. It turns out that he drew close to the former caddie, helping her succeed in life, teaching her to pay it forward.
Quite appropriately, the prelude music was “Edelweiss” and “You’ve Got a Friend.”