Martens, Jon Kane (1946-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Oct 8 p. 1

Birth date: 1946 Aug 25

text of obituary:

Young Bicycle Rider Fatally Injured

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR JON MARTENS, 13, HELD AT REEDLEY, CALIF.

Reedley, Calif. — Funeral services were held at the Mennonite Brethren church here Oct. 1 for Jon Kane Martens, 13-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Martens who was instantly killed Monday evening in a traffic accident.

The youth was en route home on his bicycle when he was struck from behind by a pick-up truck. He was dead on arrival at the Reedley hospital.

Surviving in addition to the parents are a sister, Lysbeth, and two brothers, Jeremy and Joel; the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Martens of Reedley; and great-grandmother, Mrs. D. C. Eitzen.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Oct 15 p. 8

text of obituary:

JON KANE MARTENS

Our beloved first-born, Jon Kane Martens, was given to us on August 25, 1946, at Reedley, Calif. The Lord graciously blessed us with a healthy normal son, and we thank Him for such a marvelous answer to prayer. We named him Jon, which means "gracious gift of Jehovah."

At three weeks of age he accompanied us from Reedley to Hillsboro, Kansas, where we lived for several years while his father finished his college education. When he was but four and one-half months of age our family was miraculously saved from severe injury or death in an automobile accident. In 1948 we moved back to Reedley where his father since that time has been employed in the family automobile business.

Jon began his schooling at Washington kindergarten, transferring to Lincoln school after the second grade, then to Grant school beginning with the 6th grade, where he was enrolled in the eighth grade at the time of his death.

Early in life he became sensitive to spiritual things and realized his need for a Saviour. He accepted in simple faith the Lord Jesus as his personal Saviour while at daily vacation Bible school when he was nearly nine years of age. It was a very real experience which he shared with us, his immediate family, his grandparents, and those round about him.

After further instruction at home, in the study of the Word through which the plan of salvation was made plain to him, and through prayer with us, he received the assurance of this redemption through Christ's blood and the forgiveness of his sins and the promise of eternal life, which remained his personal, unwavering testimony until his early death. The basis of his assurance was found in John 3:16, 17; I Peter 5:7; and especially Romans 10:9, 10, which he often quoted.

On Feb. 15, 1959, Jon and his sister, Lysbeth, among others, were baptized and received into the membership and fellowship of the church. We praise the Lord Christ for the joy and peace this brought to our family circle. Jon received many blessings from the church worship services, the Sunday school, Hartland Camp and Hume Lake conferences, DVBS classes, and his school classes.

Jon was an obedient son, and precious to us in many ways. He was concerned for the spiritual welfare of his sister and brothers, unsaved relatives and friends, and had a concern for missions. Often upon retiring at night he was heard to read his Bible to his younger brother and pray with him. Jon had many friends whom he treasured highly and was pleased recently to have been elected the president of his 8th grade class. He was artistically and athletically inclined and we enjoyed his interesting sense of humor and enthusiasm.

Unexpectedly and suddenly, this live here on earth was ended when Jon's Savviour [sic] came to call him to his heavenly Home. While riding his bicycle home on Monday evening, Sept. 28, 1959, he was struck by a fast-moving vehicle on the road near our home. Instantaneously, we believe, he was ushered into the presence of his Heavenly Father.

He leaves to mourn, his parents, a sister Lysbeth,two brothers Jeremy and Joel; his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry R. Martens; a great-grandmother, Mrs. D. C. Eitzen; a number of aunts, uncles, cousins, and a great host of friends.

The memorial service was held in the Mennonite Brethren church, Reedley, Calif., at 10:00 a.m., Oct 1, 1959, with Rev. Dan Friesen and G. B. Huebert officiating. — The Paarents.