MARTIN, Peter Elwood 1937 - 2014

MARTIN, TAYLOR, EPSTEIN, WILLIS, DREES, OWENS, TURNER

Posted By: Pat Ludeke (email)
Date: 1/12/2018 at 13:41:56

Peter Elwood Martin, 76, unexpectedly died in San Ysidro, Calif., on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014.

Online condolences may be left at www.fullertonfh.com. A visitation will be Monday, Jan. 27, 2014, from 5-8 p.m. at Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second St. S.E., Mason City.

A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014, at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery with military honors by the Iowa National Guard. Chaplin Jerome Baker from the VFW will be officiating.

Peter was born Jan. 14, 1937, in Mason City, to the late Dr. Edward C. and Berlina A. Martin. Peter was third eldest of eight children. He was very active in sports in junior high and high school. He ran track, wrestled, and played football. In December 1953, he became an Eagle Scout. In September 1955, Peter earned the Explorer Silver Award.

In 1954, he persuaded his parents to allow him to join the Iowa National Guard before graduating from Mason City High School in 1955. He served with the 1133rd Transportation Unit from May 1954 until September 1957. In the interim, he attended junior college (now North Iowa Area Community College).

Following graduation, Peter went on active duty with the U.S. Army. He served from June 1958, until being medically retired in December 1963. He served with C Battery, 2nd Missile Battalion, 56th Artillery in Pirmasens and Salzwoog, Germany, guarding Nike, Ajax and Hercules missiles.

He worked in Denver, Colo., for several years until moving to California. After working in Arizona for a few years, he began traveling extensively throughout the Western states and Canada before returning to California and lived there until his death.

He enjoyed reading biographies and anything concerning military history. He enjoyed watching old movies. He loved playing with his nieces and nephews.

Peter's service-connected mental health issues eventually caused him to become homeless for decades. After a 22-year search, he was located in Oxnard, Calif. Because he had been incorrectly declared dead by the military, it took months before he was recognized by the Veteran’s Administration. At the time of his death, there were still unresolved issues with Defense Finance Accounting Service.

Peter is survived by his sisters, Melanie Martin Taylor, Oakland, Calif.; and Christine Epstein, San Diego, Calif. He is survived by his brothers, Dr. Edward and his wife, Dr. Evelyn Gliege Martin, Grants Pass, Ore.; Richard and his wife, Orita Martin, Denver, Colo.; Allen Martin and Dixie Willis, Mason City, and Dr. David Martin and Eileen Drees, Carroll; aunts, Delores Owens, Rockford, Ill.; Hattie Martin, Moline, Ill.; uncle, Robert (Odette) Martin, Chicago, Ill.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Cynthia Turner; sister-in-law, Christine Martin; and niece, Gail Martin.