WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Delmar Leroy Martin, Jr., 77, passed away at Three Rivers Health on Monday, September 1, 2014.
He was born on August 11, 1937 to Delmar and Gladys (Morrison) Martin in Rolling Prairie, Indiana. From his youth Delmar was an avid marksman a life long commitment, leading to numerous certificates and awards of which he was extremely proud. He was also a member of the local civil air patrol while at school.
Delmar graduated from Laporte High School in 1956 and immediately enrolled in the United States Marine Corps aviation program. During basic training he was awarded certificates for outstanding marksmanship, and being an outstanding member of his platoon. He served initially as an aviation technician in the Marine Black Knights Squadron followed by tours of duty in Tai-Wan, and Japan before spending his final two years as a Sergeant in the Marine Corps detachment at the US Embassy in London.
While in London he married Sonia Sneiman before returning to Cherry Point, N.C. where his daughter Amber was born. The couple moved back to England upon Delmar’s discharge from the Marine Corps, and he joined a family business selling high-end cars to the military, prior to moving into private security for the business sector in London.
In 1972 the couple divorced and he married Maria Bryson who later died. He shifted his focus towards helping youth and spent the next 18 years as a youth sports coach, a youth counselor and eventually youth center manager in his local borough of Walthamstow. He retired from that post in 1991.
In March 1991, he married Susan McLeod in London, and shortly thereafter the family moved to Three Rivers to become carers for the Martin seniors while he worked as a realtor for several local companies. He also enrolled as a reserve deputy for the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s department and did the county liquor inspections for several years.
In 1996, Delmar was elected Supervisor of Fabius Township, where he served for nearly 8 years prior to his retirement from that post in 2004 but he retained his interest in public policy standing for State Representative, County Sheriff and most recently County Commissioner, and although he did not win, he enjoyed the race. He was a strong believer in the rights of the taxpayer.
He was predeceased by his parents, Gladys and Delmar, his sister Barbara Perz, his nephew Donald Martin and his favorite uncle Skeezix Morrison.
Delmar Leroy Martin, leaves behind to mourn him, his wife Susan, daughters, Anne in Three Rivers, and Amber (Ian) Mackmurdie in England, and adopted son Charles in Europe, his brother Donald (Joyce) in Kissamee, FL, nephew Denis (Karen) Martin of LaPorte, IN, and niece Denise in Florida, brother-in-law Alan (Jo) Phillips in England and his children Steven and Ian, and his best friends Dave Brueck and Ted Streeter and his favorite young friend Autie Miller.
Cremation has taken place and the family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. for a time of fellowship on Saturday, September 13, 2014 at Hohner Funeral Home with military honors to follow under the auspices of the American Legion Post # 170.
Memorial donations in memory of Delmar may be directed to the Marine Corps League Detachment # 1401 or the Wounded Warrior Project. Envelopes available at Hohner Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hohnerfh.com.
