Martin, Nelson L. (1923-2006)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2006 Mar 27 p. 8

Birth date: 1923 Jul 29

text of obituary:

NELSON L. MARTIN

Nelson L. Martin, 82, of Chambersburg, Pa., and formerly of Greencastle, died Feb. 22, 2006. He was born July 29, 1923, to David L. and Rhoda (Diller) Martin in Smithsburg, Md.

He served as pastor for 35 years at Cedar Grove Mennonite Church near Greencastle. He also was a farmer in his younger years and drove a school bus for the Greencastle-Antrim School District. He served as a part-time chaplain while at Menno Haven.

After his retirement, he was honored as pastor emeritus at Cedar Grove Mennonite Church, where he continued his pastoral visitation of church and community members. He assisted his wife in operating the former Martin’s Flower Shop of Greencastle for almost 20 years.

He was a member of Cedar Grove Mennonite Church and served as the overseer of Atlantic Coast Mennonite Conference.

He continued his pastoral studies through Eastern Mennonite College in Harrisonburg, Va.

He and his first wife, Naomi P. (Kuhns) Martin, were married Nov. 28, 1942, in Chambersburg. She died on Sept. 20, 2000. He married Janet C. (Kipe) Hostetter on Aug. 20, 2001, in Chambersburg.

Survivors include his wife, Janet; three daughters, Yvonne E. Martin of Mechanicsburg, Twila M. Martin of Asheville, N.C., and Freda F. Witmer of Allentown; a son, Arvid L. Martin of Imlay City, Mich.; two stepchildren, Joyce D. Cooper of Chambersburg and Warren R. Hostetter of Hagerstown; four sisters, Isabel Bumbaugh of Maugansville and Lovina Baer, Wilma Martin and Elva Stauffer, all of Greencastle; two brothers, Elwood Martin of State Line and Warren Martin of Mercersburg; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren and five stepgreat-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Naomi; two infant children, Don Nelson Martin and Marjorie Ann Martin; and a sister, Vera Kuhns.

Funeral services were held at Cedar Grove Mennonite Church of Greencastle. Burial was in the adjoining church cemetery.