Obituary for Johnie Martin
Johnie Haskins Martin, 100, of Mulvane, KS, passed into eternity with the Lord Jesus on June 29, 2023. Born in Pontiac, MO on February 9, 1923, Johnie was the second-born of four sons born to Elmer P. Martin and Lucy Friend Martin. Johnie had many happy memories of growing up on a farm in the Ozarks of MO. He frequently recalled a life filled with the joy of faith, friends, and a loving family, and he was deeply grateful for parents that taught him the importance of faithfulness to Christ and His Church, the value of hard work, and the folly of sin and disobedience. These lifelong convictions were forged early on and were the hallmark of his long life.
His childhood was typified by hard work, and Johnie never tired of recalling those days with a sense of pride and nostalgia. The one hundred acre Martin Farm produced hay, corn, and alfalfa that sustained their livestock, as well as cotton which they sold, wheat they had ground in town for their flour, and sugar cane, from which they made molasses. A large vegetable garden provided most of their food, and they raised chickens and hogs for meat, while eggs and cattle were a source of income. Their farm was also home to ducks, working dogs and cats, a team of horses, and sheep which were sheared for income. It was not far from many of Johnie’s relatives, so he saw both sets of his grandparents as well as uncles, aunts, and many cousins often. His earliest memories from the age of eight were of milking cows before dawn, feeding livestock, helping to separate the milk fat for homemade butter, and hoeing weeds in the large garden. At the age of thirteen he was plowing the garden and the crop fields with a team of horses, and helping to sow the crops, as well as cutting, chopping, and stacking enough wood to last the winter in their home heated solely by a wood burning stove. He walked two miles to school every day, and his formal education ended at the eighth grade because the high school was too far from home and inaccessible without a bridge over the river.
Always friendly, outgoing, and social, Johnie enjoyed attending the General Baptist Church with many friends and relatives, and where his daddy really did sing bass and his mother was a stickler for regular attendance. He was saved at the age of twenty-seven on December 23, 1950, at a revival in Salem, MO and baptized in the icy North Fork River eight days later. He never smoked another cigarette, took another drink, or swore again, which is hard to believe…unless you knew Johnie Martin.
Johnie left home at the age of eighteen in 1941 and went to California to work. He put transmissions into Chevys and worked in a machine shop in Oakland, worked at the Libby’s Cannery in Sacramento, built Dodges and Desotos for Chrysler in Los Angeles, and also worked at a chemical plant there. He moved back home to Missouri in 1943, got married, then moved to Kansas City, MO. In 1944 he reported to Camp Walters, Texas for Basic Training, and became an infantryman in the U.S. Army and a World War II veteran.
On June 10, 1944 Johnie shipped out with the 44th Infantry Division, Company D as a Heavy Weapons Specialist, achieving the rank of Corporal as a machine gunner, and landed in Naples, Italy. From there he went by ship to Marseilles, France to the front line. He marched across France, Germany, and Austria carrying a machine gun. Johnie gave this account of one of the battles in which he was involved: while in Germany, his Main Company was surrounded by the enemy and Johnie’s Squad was separated from them. Another Mortar Platoon was providing mortar fire but deserted their position. Johnie’s Heavy Weapons Squad stepped in, and Johnie gave protective cover with a Browning Automatic Rifle to his Sergeant who was in communication with the Main Company. The enemy was defeated, his Company freed, and 1100 Germans were killed. It was for this action that Johnie was awarded the Bronze Star “For heroic or meritorious achievement or service in combat”. He was sent home after VE Day in May of 1945, via England, crossing the ocean aboard the Queen Mary. He received thirty days of leave, then reported to Camp Chafee, Arkansas for training to continue the war effort on the Pacific Front. He was nearing the completion of that training when Japan surrendered in September 1945, and Johnie always credited President Truman for saving his life with the decision to employ the use of the atom bomb to end World War II. He mustered out of the U.S. Army with an honorable discharge in 1946. He loved America and never missed voting in a single primary or general election until his death.
Johnie moved to California in 1947 where he co-owned and operated “Al & Johnie’s Service” gas station with his close friend Alvie Wray in Los Angeles until 1949, then moved back to Kansas City, taking a job at General Motors building cars. He was divorced in 1955, and moved to Wichita, KS in 1957.
Johnie married Inez Huse of Gainesville, MO, whose family was well known to his own family, on October 25, 1957, and they made their home in Wichita, KS. Johnie took a job at Steffen’s Dairy where he was employed for a total of seventeen years. In 1967 he decided to try his hand at over-the-road trucking and purchased a Peterbilt semi tractor-trailer truck. Though he enjoyed driving the truck and seeing so much of the USA, this venture ended as a business failure in 1968 and he returned to dairy delivery at Steffen’s until 1975. He was employed at Sta-Krisp Potato Chip Company as a driver/deliveryman until 1978, when he began working as a dairy deliveryman for Meadowgold Dairy. Though he endured heavy, hard work and long hours, he enjoyed his career as a truck driver and deliveryman for these dairies, visiting dozens of small towns all over Kansas, meeting and forging friendships with co-workers and many school, hospital, and grocery store employees, and seeing the beautiful Kansas countryside every day. Johnie retired at the age of sixty-eight from Meadowgold Dairy in 1991. He disliked not working, so took a job after retirement as a deliveryman for Edward’s Typographic Service in 1992, as a car transport agent from 1992-1999, and finished his post retirement career at the age of eighty-six as a delivery driver for Garnett Auto Supply from 1999-2009. Bringing laughter, making friends, and sharing his faith in Christ all along the way.
Johnie Martin was an infinitely patient man, but intolerant of laziness and irresponsibility. He believed in working hard, but also playing hard. His zest for life was self-evident and infectious, and his presence always brought big smiles, big hugs, firm handshakes, a booming voice, and easy laughter. His favorite outdoor activity was water skiing, and he spent many happy hours with friends and family at Bull Shoals Lake in Arkansas and Lake Afton in Wichita. Johnie’s favorite indoor activity was church; his zeal for the Lord Jesus and His Church was unmatched and will be felt for generations. He loved going to church, church fellowships, church visitation programs, and church activities. He loved God’s people and made many lifelong friendships at the churches he attended. He was a faithful member of Olivet Baptist Church 1958-1964, Southwest Baptist Church 1964-1995, First Baptist Church Haysville 1995-2013, and Calvary Baptist Derby 2013-2023. Invariably loved and venerated wherever he went, Johnie served as a deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, Youth and Young Married Sunday School teacher for thirty years, on many committees, and several Pulpit Committees.
Johnie and Inez loved to travel and visited Europe, Canada, Mexico, and all fifty states, often vacationing with close friends. They shared a passion for southern gospel music and attended the National Quartet Convention in KY and TN many times. Johnie’s favorite form of music was bluegrass, and he remembers with fondness square dancing as a young man accompanied by a bluegrass band. He had an abiding love for old hymns sung together with fellow saints in worship and felt a deep sense of loss when they were removed from worship services.
Johnie’s devotion to and influence and impact for God on his family is incalculable. When Inez’s twin sister, Lonez, was divorced and abandoned in 1962, Johnie opened his home to her and her two daughters, Kay and Ann, refusing remuneration. When Lonez died three years later, Johnie and Inez became their adoptive parents, and they formed a mutually grateful and blessed family of four. Johnie H. Martin leaves a legacy of Christ-like love, strength, compassion, virtue, probity, honesty, and unswerving faithfulness and devotion to God and his family, for two daughters, one son-in-law, six grandchildren and spouses, twenty-one great grandchildren, and a host of extended family and friends who are like family. And to the world.
Johnie was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Lucy (Friend) Martin, brothers Arnold Martin, Tommy Eugene Martin, Bobby Martin, and son-in-law Eddy McPherson.
Survivors include his daughters Kay McPherson, and Ann (Loren) Hathaway, grandchildren, Emily Davis, Karen Game, Erin Hathaway, Ellen Hathaway, Evan Hathaway, and Elizabeth Beyer, twenty-one great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Betty Huse, several nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
Viewing/Visitation will be held at Smith Mortuary-Derby July 7, 9:30-10:30 AM
Funeral Service will be held at Smith Mortuary-Derby July 7, 10:30 AM
Private Graveside Service immediately following
Memorial donations can be made to Samaritan’s Purse or Embrace Crisis Pregnancy Center.
His childhood was typified by hard work, and Johnie never tired of recalling those days with a sense of pride and nostalgia. The one hundred acre Martin Farm produced hay, corn, and alfalfa that sustained their livestock, as well as cotton which they sold, wheat they had ground in town for their flour, and sugar cane, from which they made molasses. A large vegetable garden provided most of their food, and they raised chickens and hogs for meat, while eggs and cattle were a source of income. Their farm was also home to ducks, working dogs and cats, a team of horses, and sheep which were sheared for income. It was not far from many of Johnie’s relatives, so he saw both sets of his grandparents as well as uncles, aunts, and many cousins often. His earliest memories from the age of eight were of milking cows before dawn, feeding livestock, helping to separate the milk fat for homemade butter, and hoeing weeds in the large garden. At the age of thirteen he was plowing the garden and the crop fields with a team of horses, and helping to sow the crops, as well as cutting, chopping, and stacking enough wood to last the winter in their home heated solely by a wood burning stove. He walked two miles to school every day, and his formal education ended at the eighth grade because the high school was too far from home and inaccessible without a bridge over the river.
Always friendly, outgoing, and social, Johnie enjoyed attending the General Baptist Church with many friends and relatives, and where his daddy really did sing bass and his mother was a stickler for regular attendance. He was saved at the age of twenty-seven on December 23, 1950, at a revival in Salem, MO and baptized in the icy North Fork River eight days later. He never smoked another cigarette, took another drink, or swore again, which is hard to believe…unless you knew Johnie Martin.
Johnie left home at the age of eighteen in 1941 and went to California to work. He put transmissions into Chevys and worked in a machine shop in Oakland, worked at the Libby’s Cannery in Sacramento, built Dodges and Desotos for Chrysler in Los Angeles, and also worked at a chemical plant there. He moved back home to Missouri in 1943, got married, then moved to Kansas City, MO. In 1944 he reported to Camp Walters, Texas for Basic Training, and became an infantryman in the U.S. Army and a World War II veteran.
On June 10, 1944 Johnie shipped out with the 44th Infantry Division, Company D as a Heavy Weapons Specialist, achieving the rank of Corporal as a machine gunner, and landed in Naples, Italy. From there he went by ship to Marseilles, France to the front line. He marched across France, Germany, and Austria carrying a machine gun. Johnie gave this account of one of the battles in which he was involved: while in Germany, his Main Company was surrounded by the enemy and Johnie’s Squad was separated from them. Another Mortar Platoon was providing mortar fire but deserted their position. Johnie’s Heavy Weapons Squad stepped in, and Johnie gave protective cover with a Browning Automatic Rifle to his Sergeant who was in communication with the Main Company. The enemy was defeated, his Company freed, and 1100 Germans were killed. It was for this action that Johnie was awarded the Bronze Star “For heroic or meritorious achievement or service in combat”. He was sent home after VE Day in May of 1945, via England, crossing the ocean aboard the Queen Mary. He received thirty days of leave, then reported to Camp Chafee, Arkansas for training to continue the war effort on the Pacific Front. He was nearing the completion of that training when Japan surrendered in September 1945, and Johnie always credited President Truman for saving his life with the decision to employ the use of the atom bomb to end World War II. He mustered out of the U.S. Army with an honorable discharge in 1946. He loved America and never missed voting in a single primary or general election until his death.
Johnie moved to California in 1947 where he co-owned and operated “Al & Johnie’s Service” gas station with his close friend Alvie Wray in Los Angeles until 1949, then moved back to Kansas City, taking a job at General Motors building cars. He was divorced in 1955, and moved to Wichita, KS in 1957.
Johnie married Inez Huse of Gainesville, MO, whose family was well known to his own family, on October 25, 1957, and they made their home in Wichita, KS. Johnie took a job at Steffen’s Dairy where he was employed for a total of seventeen years. In 1967 he decided to try his hand at over-the-road trucking and purchased a Peterbilt semi tractor-trailer truck. Though he enjoyed driving the truck and seeing so much of the USA, this venture ended as a business failure in 1968 and he returned to dairy delivery at Steffen’s until 1975. He was employed at Sta-Krisp Potato Chip Company as a driver/deliveryman until 1978, when he began working as a dairy deliveryman for Meadowgold Dairy. Though he endured heavy, hard work and long hours, he enjoyed his career as a truck driver and deliveryman for these dairies, visiting dozens of small towns all over Kansas, meeting and forging friendships with co-workers and many school, hospital, and grocery store employees, and seeing the beautiful Kansas countryside every day. Johnie retired at the age of sixty-eight from Meadowgold Dairy in 1991. He disliked not working, so took a job after retirement as a deliveryman for Edward’s Typographic Service in 1992, as a car transport agent from 1992-1999, and finished his post retirement career at the age of eighty-six as a delivery driver for Garnett Auto Supply from 1999-2009. Bringing laughter, making friends, and sharing his faith in Christ all along the way.
Johnie Martin was an infinitely patient man, but intolerant of laziness and irresponsibility. He believed in working hard, but also playing hard. His zest for life was self-evident and infectious, and his presence always brought big smiles, big hugs, firm handshakes, a booming voice, and easy laughter. His favorite outdoor activity was water skiing, and he spent many happy hours with friends and family at Bull Shoals Lake in Arkansas and Lake Afton in Wichita. Johnie’s favorite indoor activity was church; his zeal for the Lord Jesus and His Church was unmatched and will be felt for generations. He loved going to church, church fellowships, church visitation programs, and church activities. He loved God’s people and made many lifelong friendships at the churches he attended. He was a faithful member of Olivet Baptist Church 1958-1964, Southwest Baptist Church 1964-1995, First Baptist Church Haysville 1995-2013, and Calvary Baptist Derby 2013-2023. Invariably loved and venerated wherever he went, Johnie served as a deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, Youth and Young Married Sunday School teacher for thirty years, on many committees, and several Pulpit Committees.
Johnie and Inez loved to travel and visited Europe, Canada, Mexico, and all fifty states, often vacationing with close friends. They shared a passion for southern gospel music and attended the National Quartet Convention in KY and TN many times. Johnie’s favorite form of music was bluegrass, and he remembers with fondness square dancing as a young man accompanied by a bluegrass band. He had an abiding love for old hymns sung together with fellow saints in worship and felt a deep sense of loss when they were removed from worship services.
Johnie’s devotion to and influence and impact for God on his family is incalculable. When Inez’s twin sister, Lonez, was divorced and abandoned in 1962, Johnie opened his home to her and her two daughters, Kay and Ann, refusing remuneration. When Lonez died three years later, Johnie and Inez became their adoptive parents, and they formed a mutually grateful and blessed family of four. Johnie H. Martin leaves a legacy of Christ-like love, strength, compassion, virtue, probity, honesty, and unswerving faithfulness and devotion to God and his family, for two daughters, one son-in-law, six grandchildren and spouses, twenty-one great grandchildren, and a host of extended family and friends who are like family. And to the world.
Johnie was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Lucy (Friend) Martin, brothers Arnold Martin, Tommy Eugene Martin, Bobby Martin, and son-in-law Eddy McPherson.
Survivors include his daughters Kay McPherson, and Ann (Loren) Hathaway, grandchildren, Emily Davis, Karen Game, Erin Hathaway, Ellen Hathaway, Evan Hathaway, and Elizabeth Beyer, twenty-one great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Betty Huse, several nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
Viewing/Visitation will be held at Smith Mortuary-Derby July 7, 9:30-10:30 AM
Funeral Service will be held at Smith Mortuary-Derby July 7, 10:30 AM
Private Graveside Service immediately following
Memorial donations can be made to Samaritan’s Purse or Embrace Crisis Pregnancy Center.