Frank A. Martin (1881-1949)

MARTIN, SKINNER, FAGAN

Posted By: John Davis (email)
Date: 10/2/2019 at 07:16:08

Obit posted in Ottumwa Courier August 5, 1941
"Curly" Martin, Dean Of Bus Drivers, Dies
Served With Ottumwa Utilities 41 Years
Photo posted with obit
Frank A. (Curly) Martin 59, well-known Ottumwa city bus driver, dropped dead in the garage at his residence, 1011 West Second street, at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday. He was found on the floor beside his car by Press Skinner, a passer-by. The coroner was called and said death was due to natural causes, probably a stroke. Mr. Martin was born at Corning, August 28, 1881. He came to Ottumwa in 1900. He went to work for the Ottumwa Railway & Light Co. and had been a street car or bus driver ever since. Dean of the public utilities, he had served for 41 years, continuously, through different ownership of the franchise lines. Mr. Martin married Mary Fagan May 10, 1908. She survives him. He is also survived by a daughter, Mary Margaret, at home, two sons, Francis of Chicago and Hugh Leo, at home; two sisters, Elizabeth and Nellie C. Martin, both of Corning. One child preceded him in death. The body was taken from the Vaughn funeral chapel to the home Wednesday afternoon. The members of St. Mary's parish will meet at the home at 8 p.m. Thursday to recite the rosary. Funeral services will be held Friday, at the home at 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic church. The Rt. Rev. J.M. Walsh, V.F. will officiate. Burial will be in the Calvary cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Claude Sheppard, Henry Denebrink, Jake Johnson, Roy Schnedler, Tom Corrick and Jack Childs. Active pallbearers will be Ed Simmons, Don Santee, Ira Smith, Roy Robinson, Wade McReynolds and Charles O'Brien.