James Lester Martin

James "Jim" L. Martin, 72,  of Steelville, MO passed away Thursday, November 3, 2011 at his home. He was born January 5, 1939 in Westover, Missouri to Robert "Dick" Martin and Frona Trask Martin. On August 4, 1957 in Salem, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Betty Harris who survives of the home.

Jim was a member of Midland Pentecostal Assembly Church and a member of the Auto Worker's Union.  He worked for General Motors for thirty-plus years and retired in 1990. He always enjoyed hunting, fishing and making molasses and later maple syrup. He started out years ago making it with his dad and later with Cecil, his brother. For the last ten years, you would find Jim and Betty selling produce in Steelville, where he always enjoyed visiting with the ones who stopped by. He helped mow and take care of the Trask Cemetery and served as chairman for the Martin-Trask Cemetery. For several years he served on the Planing and Zoning Committee and the Fire Station Board of Steelville.

Jim loved family dinners and most of all loved his family and being around all of the great-grandchildren.

He will be sadly missed by his wife of fifty-four years, Betty Martin of Steelville, MO; three sons, Randy Martin and wife Anna of Cherryville, MO, Keith Martin and wife Cathy  and Tony Martin and wife Laura all of Steelville, MO; one daughter Susan Britton and husband Jim of Steelville, MO; two brothers Henry Martin and wife Bonnie of Davisville, MO and Albert Martin and wife Lorene of Steelville, MO; two sisters Roberta White and Mabel Volner both of Steelville, MO; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Flo Martin and Bonnie Barton of Cherryville, MO, Ina Davis of Steelville, MO, Alline Cottrell of Sullivan, MO, Herman Hewkin of Davisville, MO and Tom Harris and wife Elma of Viburnum, MO; ten grandchildren, Tommy, Lance Michelle, Kevin, Kayla, Kyle, Jamie and husband Matt, Alyssa, Jessica and Shannon; three great-grandchildren Brianna, Zackary and Jesse; three step-grand-daughters Rebecca, Danielle and Carrie; and one step-great-grand-daughter Brooklyn; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents;  father and mother-in-law, Tommy and Bessie Harris; grandson Jason Martin; one brother Cecil Martin; one sister Anna Mae White; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Mildred Turnbough and husband Cletis, Gilbert Davis, Vencil Cottrell, Violet Hewkin, Bill Harris, Everett White and Jim Burrus.

The Family received friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 4, 2011 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO with Rev. Jimmy Dunn officiating. Special music of "What a Day That Will Be", "Wait Till You See my Brand New Home" and "I Want to Stroll Over Heaven with You" was sung by Don Turnbough, Perry Barton, Glenda Green and Jeanie Dumler and accompanied on piano by Bonnie Barton.

Committal prayer and Interment were in the Martin-Trask Cemetery at Cherryville, MO.

Honored to be serving as casket bearers were grandchildren, Tommy Martin, Kevin Martin, Jamie Walker, Lance Martin, Jessica Martin and Kyle Martin.

Memorials may be given to the Martin-Trask Cemetery.

The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.

 Service Information