John A. Martin, of Chesterton, died Friday, Sept. 16, 2005 at Porter
Valparaiso Hospital Campus. He was 81.
He was born Feb. 5, 1924 in Clinton, Ind., the son of John James and
Margaret Devine Martin, both of whom preceded him in death.
In Oct. 1950, he married Mary Jane Irish, who preceded him in death in 1988.
In December 1994, he married Julia Jones, who survives in Chesterton.
He is also survived by four sons, Tom (Lynne) Martin of Valparaiso, Greg
(Chris) Martin, Steve (Beth) Martin and Bill (Terry) Martin, all of
Chesterton; three daughters, Evelyn Komenas, Patty (Tom) Shumate, both of
Chesterton and Kathy Martin of Kent, Washington; a step-son, Charles
(Debbie) Jones, of Chesterton; a step-daughter, Shelia (Alfred) Creech, of
Portage; grandchildren, Jennifer and Susan Martin, John Komenas, Thomas
(Jacqui) Shumate, Adam and Aaron Martin, Elizabeth Jordan, Samantha and
Andrew Martin, Darryl and Randy Jones, Anthony, Eric and Cassie Creech;
great-granddaughter, Lea Creech; a brother, James Martin of Nappanee and a
sister, Ellen (John) O’Keefe, of Green Valley, Ariz.
John was also preceded in death by sisters, Marie Kniola, Margaret and
Frances Martin and a brother George Martin.
In 1927 his family moved to Chesterton and in 1933-1939 they lived in the
Bailly Homestead. John met one of Joseph Bailly’s grandsons with his full
Indian headdress when he came to see the Homestead.
John was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Chesterton, and was an
Army Veteran serving during WWII with the 75th Division 1st BN 289th
Infantry and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Having proudly served his
Country, he was discharged Jan. 10, 1946. He received three Bronze Stars,
the Purple Heart the Soldier’s Medal of Honor, received the American Theater
Ribbon, EAME Theater Ribbon and received the Victory Medal. He was a
bricklayer with Local #6, worked for Furnco from 1964-83, then as a
consultant for General Refactory, retiring in Feb. 1989. Being a hard
worker, John was proud of his accomplishments, but most importantly, he was
always very proud of his family.
A Mass of Christian Burial, Rev. James Meade officiating, will be at 10 a.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 21 at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Entombment will be at
Graceland Cemetery, Valparaiso.
The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at the White-Love
Funeral Home, 525 S. 2nd St., Chesterton. Prayer service will be at 7 p.m.
at the funeral home.
Memorials may be given to the Porter County Visiting Nurse Program or to the
Hospice Program of Porter County.
Posted 9/19/2005
