Obituaries : Harold John Martin

Harold John Martin

BLAIRSTOWN:
Harold John Martin, 90, died Monday, April 14, 2014 at the Keystone Nursing Care Center, in Keystone following an extended illness.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at St. John Catholic Church in Blairsstown with Father Jim Miller as Celebrant. Visitation will also be held at the church from 4 to 7 p.m., on Tuesday where a Rosay will begin at 7 p.m.. Friends may also call at Phillips Funeral Home in Blairstown from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Interment with Graveside Military Rites conducted by M. J. Kirby American Legion Pot #170 will be held at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Blairstown.
Harold was born September 13, 1923 at Williamsburg to John Bernard and Ada L. (Klein) Martin and graduated from the Marengo High School in 1941. He entered the service in February 1943 and was discharged in February 1946. During that period he went to North Georgia College as a ASTP Student, then to Marshall College in Huntington, West Virginia, as an Air Force Cadet. When these programs were discontinue, he was sent to the 75th Infantry Division at Camp Beckenridge. He went overseas to the Battle Of The Bulge, and was in combat from 12/24/1944 until the war was over in Europe.
After service in April 1946 he was employed at the Iowa County Savings Bank in Marengo where he worked until November 1947, when he went to work at Marengo Motors in Marengo a a Parts Manager and Bookkeeper until June 15, 1951.
On June 21, 1951, he married Emma Jean Foley of Belle Plaine at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Belle Plaine. Then on July 15, 1951 he took a position with the Benton County State Bank in Blairstown where he worked for the 41 plus years, retiring September 30, 1993 as Bank President.
Survivors include his loving wife, Jean; children, Stephen, John, Mary Ellen Skwark, and Ursula Joan Hanavan; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren
Harold was a man of integrity, always available to help anyone. He loved St. John’s Catholic Church and Blairstown and believed in paying his civic duty. Harold was a volunteer Fireman, Legion Post, City Council, and Mayor.
He enjoyed bowling, boating, flying the airplane. They enjoyed taking family trips and playing board games with the family.