Rev. Mark W. Martin
MARTIN, STARR, PEARSON, BUBLITZ
Posted By: Megan Ciha (email)
Date: 1/16/2026 at 15:48:13
Reverend Mark W. Martin, age 80 retired Presbyterian Pastor of the area died Monday, January 12, 2026, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City.
Memorial services will be held at 1:30 pm Sunday, January 18, 2026, at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Iowa City. A time of fellowship and refreshment will follow the services at the church. To share a thought, memory or condolence please visit Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website @ www.gayandciha.com.
Mark was born September 25, 1945, in Appleton, WI, growing up in Shorewood, WI where in his youth he enjoyed all outdoor activities and spending evenings with the family playing board games and cards. Following graduation from high school in Shorewood, he attended and later graduated from Carroll College in Waukesha, WI with a double major. Seminary was next, graduating from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. He was ordained in 1970. He would go on to serve three churches in his career, Westminster Presbyterian Church in both Spokane and Tacoma, Washington and St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Iowa City. Mark had the ability to bring forth ideas and opinions from varying sides of the table with respect and kindness. These skills were welcomed by the congregations served, the Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly but also in the communities serving on various committees and boards within the communities including library boards and police chaplaincy programs.
While in seminary, Mark and others protected members of the Black Panthers seeking refuge on their campus. Though maybe not the smartest thing he could have done, he would say it was the right thing to do! This was Pastor Mark, doing the right thing for his congregations, communities, and total strangers in communities around the country after natural disasters. He and his wife, Carol spent over 10 years guiding recovery volunteers with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and later World Renew.
Outdoors was always a cherished space for Mark; he so enjoyed golfing, hunting and fishing. Carol and Mark enjoyed many vacations doing just that, camping and fishing. He enjoyed doing genealogy with Carol, finding out clues into their family’s history. And if there was a “Club” that Mark belonged to, it was always with the local clergy, usually with meetings at a local watering hole, supporting one another in their faith works and journey.
Mark’s family includes his wife of over 40 years, Carol; children, Scott Martin (Lisa), Rob Martin (Barbara), Katie Starr (Ryan), Jon Pearson and Matt Pearson (Kris); grandchildren, Josh, Lindsey, Liam, Kai, Micah, Cole, Josh and Jeremy; great-grandson, Jack; Mark’s siblings, Mary Bublitz (Jeff) and Todd Martin (Colleen); and many nieces and nephews.
Mark was preceded in death by parents, Dr. Darrell and Virginia Martin; and daughter-in-law, Michelle Pearson.
Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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