Thomas Michael MARTIN

MARTIN, FARUS, WESSELS, GOODELL, COURTS, NELSON, CLARK

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 11/4/2015 at 20:12:29

October 11, 1952 --- October 15, 2015

Tom Martin, 63, of Stanhope, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Thursday, October 15, 2015. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 19, 2015 at the Foster Funeral and Cremation Center with Russell Nesbit and Bill Moore officiating. Burial will follow the services at South Marion Cemetery, with a luncheon following at Countryside Bible Chapel. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Thomas Michael Martin was born October 11, 1952 in Clarion, the son of Russell and Maxine (Farus) Martin. He graduated from Clarksville High School in 1971. Thomas married Darla Kay Wessels on October 19, 1979 in New Hartford. They created a life together moving around Northeast and Central Iowa before taking permanent residence in Stanhope, IA, where they have lived for the last 18 years. Tom worked hard over the years as an electrician, hog farmer, semi-driver, and he was a member of the Countryside Bible Chapel.

He had a great love for sports, playing softball in his younger years and recently taking up horseshoe which he enjoyed playing with his dad. While achieving many honors, there was nothing more important to him than his family. He worked hard to provide for his family and instilled his Christian values in everything he did. He was proud to be "Papa" to his six grandchildren. Being around them brought out the kid in him.

While Tom is gone from this earth, he would want you to know there is a place in Heaven for you. When he was young he attended church but realized something was missing. On the night of July 9, 1979 he accepted that Jesus had died for his sins and put his trust in Christ as his personal Savior and by doing so received everlasting life.

John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Darla of Stanhope, children, Robert (Niki) Martin of Nevada, Kelly (Seth) Goodell of Dakota City, Bryan (Hannah) Martin of Boone; grandchildren, Isla and Etta Martin, Alivia, Adelynn, Elijah, and Elsie Goodell; father, Russell Martin of Clarksville; sisters, Sue (Mike) Courts of Cedar Falls, Cindee (Craig) Nelson of Terril, Sallee Martin of Monticello, Sandee (Tom) Clark of Clarksville; brother, Tonee (Janelle) Martin of Winter, WI; and several nieces and nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his grandparents, mother, Maxine Martin and step-mother, Izzy Martin.

October 19, 2015
The Daily Freeman Journal -- Webster City, Iowa