Martins, Johnnie Kay (1942-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Feb 3 p. 3

Birth date: 1942

text of obituary:

12-YEAR-OLD YOUTH FALLS THROUGH ICE, DROWNS IN RIVER

Wichita, Kans. — The day-long camping trip of four Augusta boys on Saturday, Jan. 29, ended in tragedy when the icy waters of the Whitewater river claimed the life of Jonnie Kay Martens, 12-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Martens.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Feb. 1, at the Dunsford Mortuary in Augusta in the forenoon, and at the Zion Church of God in Christ, Mennonite near Inman in the afternoon. Ministers Ed Toews and John Ensz officiated at the services in the church. The Martens youth and a companion attempted to cross the river on the ice, which gave way under their combined weight. Darrel Huddleston, 13, made heroic efforts to save both boys. He finally succeeded in pulling Ronnie Ruby, 12, from the water, but the Martens youth disappeared under the ice.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Feb 17 p. 8