Donald Duane Martin, 66, US Navy Veteran

He was born February 27, 1936 in LaGonda, Pennsylvania where he lived until 1949 when he moved to Oberlin and graduated from Oberlin High School with the class of 1954. He had been a resident of Henrietta Township for the past 39 years.

After graduating from high school, he joined the US Navy. He served as an aviation electronics technician and served two tour of duty in Japan. He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Combat AirCrew Insignia. He was employed at Ford Motor Corp., Lorain for 32 years, retiring in 2001 as an electrician. Mr. Martin was a volunteer firefighter and for ten years in the Birmingham Township Fire Department where he also served many years. He was a member of Vermilion Am Vet's Post #22 and the Vermilion American Legion Post #397.

Survivors include his wife of forty-one years, Beverly Jean (nee Diedrick) Martin; his son Brian Martin of Wellington; his daughters, Julie Batal of Tewksbury, Massachusetts and Suzanne Valerius of Henrietta Township; a grandson; and his sisters Marian McKnight of Washington, Pennsylvania and Barbara Tarry of Elyria.

He was preceded in death by his parents Daniel and Alice (nee Sloneker) Martin; and by his brothers Kenneth Martin and Carl Martin.

A reception of friends and family will be held Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Hemple Funeral Home, 373 Cleveland Ave., Amherst. Friends and family may also gather on Saturday from 1-4 p.m. at the VFW Post #7576 Poorman Rd., Vermilion. Burial will be in Westwood Cemetery, Oberlin.

The family suggest that memorial contributions be made to the Vermilion Am Vets Post #22; 1517 St. Rt. 60 N. Vermilion 44089.