Gerald Martin

Gerald Arthur Martin, 87, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and retired United Methodist Minister, passed away in the presence of family Monday, November 9, in Wichita KS. Born 1928 in Clay Center, the son of A. Harold Martin and Miriam (Tannehill) Martin, Gerald grew up in Union Township and attended the Hannibal Country School. He graduated from CCCHS in 1946. Gerald attended Westmar College in Le Mars IA. While in college, he married high school sweetheart Luella Minter in 1949. He completed Seminary at Asbury in Wilmore KY and SMU Perkins in Dallas TX. His ministry spanned churches in Iowa, Ohio, and throughout Kansas for over fifty years. Gerald is survived by his wife of 66 years, Luella; son Ken (Melinda) of Junction City; daughters Faye Martin of Wichita; Vonda (Phil) McKenna of Kingman; LaDona (Rob) Martin-Frost of Centralia WA; Shauna Martin of Clay Center; sister JoAnn (Wynn) Bauer of Clay Center; Sister In-Law, Marilyn Martin of Clay Center; 9 grandchildren and 2 great grandsons. He is preceded in death by grandson Ramsey Martin; twin-brother Gene Martin. Gerald’s ministry was exemplified through his love of family, farming and community. Having grown up on a family farm, helping twin brother Gene at harvest time was family summer vacation. One of his many passions was raising and training horses; an activity he shared with his children and many other youth in towns where the Martin family lived. Together, Gerald and Luella enjoyed traveling throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Gerald’s ministry included a dedication to mission work at home and abroad. One of his final mission projects was Tractors for Our Daily Bread, originally in Zimbabwe. This organization has expanded to become Planting Hope International. A memorial service for Gerald Martin will be held at 1:00PM on Monday, November 23, 2015 at the Clay Center United Methodist Church. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Planting Hope International c/o Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home.