Kenneth Martin

Kenneth Ben Martin, age 91, of New Castle, passed away Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at his residence. He was born May 6, 1919 in Laporte, Indiana to the late Bertis Frank and Lilly Mary (Blank) Martin.

He retired from the Indianapolis Newspaper, Inc after 31 years of service. He had also worked at Sears and Brammer Furniture. Kenneth served as a Sergeant in the US Army during WWII where he was wounded in France and received a purple heart. He was a commander and lifelong member of Disabled American Veterans and VFW, held several offices for Veterans of Foreign Wars, was a volunteer of the Basketball Hall of Fame, was on the board for Wilbur Wright Memorial Birthplace, was in the Ambassador club of Chamber of Commerce, was a member of the Lions Club and Kiwanis, Masonic Lodge #91, F&AM, Order of Eastern Star and Scottish Rite and received the Lion of the Year in Charlottsville, Indiana. He was a member of the First Christian Church of New Castle for over 50 years and served as deacon, usher, choir member and board member.

Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Martin of New Castle; sons, Kenneth R. Martin of Hardinsburg, IN, David S. (wife, Jeri) Martin of Indianapolis, Timothy L. (wife, Amy) Martin of Dunreith; granddaughters, Jessica (husband, Garry II) Yarger of NC and Joanna Gomez of Phoenix, AZ; grandsons, Joseph D. (wife, Tiffany) Martin of Indianapolis, Michael (wife, Kim) Martin of Ellsworth, KS and Andrew (wife, Lindsey) Martin of Muncie; sister, Ellen G. Martin of Indianapolis; a stepson, Michael (wife, Sally) Day of New Castle; a stepdaughter, Sherry Rozelle of New Castle; step grandsons, Brian Lockhart of Hardinsburg, IN, Michael (wife, Amanda) Day of Connersville, Timothy (wife, Saundra) Day of Muncie, and Greg Rozelle of New Castle; a step granddaughter, Wendy (husband, Cliff) Decker of New Castle; nine great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; seven step great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Janet L. Ricks Martin in 1994; a brother, Burtis L. Martin.

Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 14, 2010 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle with Phil King officiating. Burial will follow in South Mound Cemetery. Friends may call from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home. Masonic services and Military Rites will be conducted beginning at 1:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be given to the Disabled American Veterans with envelopes available at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hinsey-brown.com .