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.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Feb 17 p. 8

text of obituary:

JOHNNIE KAY MARTINS

Johnnie Kay Martins, son of John K. and Clara Martins, was born Dec. 10, 1942, at Hutchinson, Kans. and passed away Jan. 29, 1955, about 4:30 p.m. near Augusta, Kans. at the age of 12 years, one month and 19 days.

Johnnie as a growing boy enjoyed good health. We moved from Hutchinson to Potwin, Kans. then to Augusta, Kans. Johnnie was in the seventh grade in the Augusta junior High school. Moving to different places. Johnnie learned to know many classmates and friends with whom he loved to play. He was a lover of sports. He liked his studies in school. he liked to go to church and Sunday school and to sing the songs of the church.

On Saturday morning, Jan. 29, Johnnie with some neighbor boys went for an outing to the Boy Scout camp about one mile away. Little did we realize that he was leaving for the last time. toward evening we became concerned about him, but felt he was all right and would soon be home.

Johnnie with another friend has decided to cross the river on the ice, but the ice broke through. The other boys in the group tried in vain to save his life. then the fire department was secured to help rescue him.

Unexpectedly the message came to us, and we rushed to the scene in hopes that our boy would be rescued, but all in vain. When we got to the river we could only see Johnnie’s cap floating on the water. After one long hour of searching and anxious care, his lifeless body was drawn to the shore. Only God knows the pain and grief it brought to our hearts. Thus ended Johnnie’s short stay with us here in this troublesome world. He was a good swimmer and never thought of the danger;. We believe Johnnie is now sweetly resting in the arms of Jesus.

He leaves to mourn his early departure his deeply bereaved parents; his brothers and sisters, Nancy Lou, 16, William, 15, and the twins, Jimmie and Jalayn, 3, all of the home in Augusta, Kans., with Rev. Chas. and Mrs. Wm. Eastman of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Mrs. G. M. Martins, of Inman, Kansas; five uncles and four aunts, and many cousins and other relatives. Grandfather martins and two aunts preceded him in death.

The funeral took place Feb. 1 at 10 a. m. in the funeral home at Augusta, Kans., with Rev. Chas Spicer in charge and at 2:30 p. m. in the Zion church northwest of Inman, Kansas. Min. A. R. Toews read Isaiah 40:6-8 for the opening and led in prayer after which Min. J. A. Ensz spoke on the texts Luke 23:28 and Luke 24:29. The body was laid to rest in the nearby cemetery, where Min. A. R. Toews read I Thess. 4:13-18 and led in the closing prayer. — The Family.