Martens, Richard Henry 1918-1999

MARTENS, DEMEULENAERE, JACOBI, FEEBACK, HASH

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 6/30/2014 at 11:50:14

The Brooklyn (IA) Chronicle
July 14, 1999

RICHARD HENRY MARTENS

Funeral services were held Tuesday morning, July 6, at Smith Funeral Home in Victor,, for Richard Martens, 80, of Hartwick, who died Friday, July 2, 1999, at the Marengo Memorial Hospital, Marengo.

The Rev. Robert Cutbirth officiated, and eulogist was Kenneth Martens. Music was by organist Jean Fontinel, with the selections "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art."

Casket bearers were Craig Bean, Raymond Beran, Dale Fisher, Alan Knaack, Dean Papesh and Brian Veach. Honorary bearers were Kenny Benda, William Jacobi, Michael Martens, Charles Papesh, John Van Otegham and Everett Williamson. Military rites were by the Harold E. Smith American Legion Post, and interment was in Calvary Cemetery, Victor.

Richard was born on Nov. 6, 1918, in Hartwick, to Peter August Martens and Mary DeMeulenaere Martens. He was raised in Hartwick and graduated from Hartwick High School with the class of 1936.

During World War II, he served with the U.S. Army in the last horse cavalry unit, and participated in the liberation of Italy. He was a recipient of the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and American Service Medal.

On Jan. 27, 1943, he was married to Alice Jacobi in Belle Plaine. The couple farmed north of Victor. Following the death of Alice, he was married to Hallie Feeback Hash on Aug. 15, 1950, in Jeffersonville, Ind.

He was a member of the Harold E. Smith American Legion Post of Victor and also a member of the Hartwick State Bank Board of Directors since 1966.

Survivors include his wife, Hallie; his children, Kenneth R. Martens of Marengo, Gary L. Hash of Brooklyn, and Reta L. Martens of Temecula. Calif.; six grandchildren; and one brother, Raymond Martens of Pekin, Ill.

Smith Funeral Home in Victor was in charge of arrangements.