- Date Of Birth: September 11, 1922
- Date Of Death: May 10, 2016
- State: Michigan
Donald Eugene “Gene” Martin passed away on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at jhis home surrounded by his wife and children. He was born September 11, 1922 to Fern Martin and Ora “Bigelow” Hafelein in Jasper Township, Midland County, where he lived all of his life. He attended Carpenter and Midland Jr. High Schools. He joined the C.C.C. camp from 1938-1939. Gene was drafted into the US Army on February 16, 1943.
He served two years in the European Theatre with the 3816 QM Gas Supply Co. receiving a ribbon with five bronze stars for Battle Campaigns in Normandy, North France, Ardennes that included the Battle of the Bulge, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He was also awarded ribbons for good conduct and victory and on November 25, 1945 he was discharged. Upon his return to Midland Gene returned to the Dow Chemical Co. where he worked for 33 years in the service station as a truck and bus driver, retiring in 1980.
On May 11, 1946 he married Ardith Arline Hale who survives him. His is also survived by the their three children, Richard “Rick” (Chris) Martin of Orlando, Florida, Donald “LeRoy” Martin of Midland, and Elaine (Ronald) Bauer of Shepherd; Nephews Randy (Sofia) Hale and Richard (Ronda) Hale; Grandchildren Leigh Ann (LJ) Planer of Pleasant View, TN, Christopher (Deborah) Rowe of Saginaw, Rodney (Chasie) Bauer and Ryan (Amy) Bauer all of Midland, Robert Carlton of Olrando, FL, April (Jesse) Hostler of Winter Springs, FL, Cruz (Jennifer) Hale, Chance Hale, Meghann (Zachary) Hale; Great Grandchildren Haley Carlton, Wren and Jace Hostler, Alicia Praay and great great grandchildren who affectionately called him “Poppie”, Rileigh and Brooklyn Planer, Mackenna Rowe, Braxton and Kensley Bauer.
He is also survived by his sisters Margie (Richard) Benner and Verna Schlonger; sisters in law Carol Macaulay, Phyllis Hale and Florence Christensen; brother in law Jack Hale.
Gene was predeceased by his parents Fern (Ivah) Martin and Ora (Ivan) Hafelein; brothers and sisters in law Robert (Mary) Martin, Clifford Martin, William (Lillian) Hafelein; sisters and brothers in law Alice (Fred) Kirby, Beatrice Martin, Ruth (Orin) Skutt and Gordon Schlonger.
Gene especially enjoyed spending time with his children having been a Boy Scout Leader to troop 49, being involved with 4-H and little league baseball. He enjoyed pitching horse shoes with Rick, playing golf and hunting with LeRoy and helping Elaine with 4-H entomology. He played baseball and played softball on the Old Men’s League. In 1939 he won the Golden Gloves Award of Michigan for winning the light welter weight divisions. Gene had a great sense of humor and was always joking, especially with the cute servers at restaurants. He collected bottles, arrow heads and anything Ardith wanted to throw away. At the age of 87 he went to Indiana on a white tail deer hunt with his grandson LJ and harvested a 16 point buck that he was proud to display and show off. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and will be greatly missed by all of his family.
Gene’s family would like to thank MidMichigan Home Care and their employess, Jackie, Louann, Jenna and Denise, and special care givers Tom Schaefer, Mike Stone and Misty Klemkosky.
