MADISON - Martha (Freeman) Dillinger, age 89, of Chelmsford, Mass., formerly of Madison, and Carbondale, Ill., died Friday, October 20, 2006.

She was born on January 25, 1917, in Benton, Ill., to James Alexander and Nancy (Young) Freeman.

Martha was united in marriage to Joseph R. Dillinger on June 6, 1942 at Benton, Ill. Martha moved to Madison in 1946. [

She raised her family in Madison, where she contributed to the University, the public school system, and the community at large, while Joe worked as a Professor of Physics at the University of Wisconsin.

When Joe preceded her in death in 1975, Martha returned to Southern Illinois, where she again contributed to Southern Illinois University and the Carbondale Illinois community.

Survivors include three children, James of Austin, Texas, Ellen of Pittsburgh Penn., and Thomas of Chelmsford, Mass.; two grandchildren, Kristi (Dillinger) Chandler and Jeffrey Dillinger; four great-grandchildren, Mason, Grace, Davis and Nolan Chandler; and five nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements will be in Southern Illinois, Martha's birthplace.

The family requests that memorial contributions be directed to:

Southern Illinois University Foundation
General Scholarship Fund
1235 Douglas Drive
Carbondale Illinois 62901

For more information please contact Meredith Funeral Home, 300 S. University Ave., Carbondale, IL 62901 phone number 618-457-4139.

She is loved and her memory will be cherished.