John Martin

John Phillip Martin, age 88, of Brainerd passed away Saturday, February 18, 2017 at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd. John’s Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, February 23, at 11 AM, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd. Visitation will be at the church during the hour prior to Mass. Interment with military honors will be at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

John was born in Brainerd on April 2, 1928, the son of Carl and Eva (Doucette) Martin. He grew up and attended school in Brainerd, graduating from Washington High School in 1946. In the early 1950’s, he attended radio school. He served his country in the US Army from 1946-1948 and again from 1950-1951. On October 19, 1953, John was united in marriage to Margaret “Pete” Specht, at St. Francis Catholic Church. He worked as a radio announcer at KLIZ for a time. In the early 1960’s John started work as a lithographer at Lakeland Color Press, where he worked for 24 years. He then worked at Bang Printing until his retirement in 1993, at age 65. John enjoyed gardening and fishing. He was an enthusiastic follower of his grandchildren’s school and sports events. For the past few years, “Taco Tuesdays”, along with serious games of Farkle, with Chuck and Joann, were a fun part of each week.

John is survived by Margaret “Pete”, his loving wife of 63 years; his children, Tom (Nancy) Martin, of Baxter and Mary (Todd) Grater, of Brainerd; four grandchildren, Megan (Chad) Rademacher, Jared (Angel) Martin, Katelyn (Justin Hanson) Grater, and Blaine Grater; five great-grandchildren, Emily, Keira, Ellysha, and Kailey Rademacher, and Isaiah Martin; and two brothers, Ed (Jean) Martin, of Eden Prairie and Chuck (Joann) Martin, of Pillager. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Eva Martin; a brother, Melvyn Martin; and a son, Jeffrey Martin. Services entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel.

Visitation one hour prior to Mass.