Obituary of Chester H. Martin, Sr.
Chester H. Martin, Sr, age 87, of Rome, passed away peacefully at home, on August 26, 2022, with his loving family at his side.
He was born January 27, 1935 in Rome, a son of the late Edwin E. Sr, and Ruth E Maurer Martin, and educated in Rome schools. Chester was united in marriage to the former Donna Pelow, on May 21, 1955, in St. Peter’s Church, a blessed marriage of 67 years. He worked for many years as a butcher/meat cutter, retiring from the GAFB commissary. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Church in Lee Center and the Stanwix Veteran and Men’s Club.
Chester was very active in the community. He served as a Little League Baseball coach and umpire, scout leader for Troop 5 at Parmalee School, a member of the Lee Center Snowmobile Club and Rescue, where he was instrumental in finding two boys, age 3 and 4, lost in the woods back in 1971. He also served as councilor and fire commissioner for the Town of Lee, was a member of the Lee Grange and volunteer for the Portner’s Fire Department in Lee and a groomer operator for the Trailblazers Snowmobile Club. However, Chester always found time to attend his grandchildren’s sporting events. He loved spending time at his camp in Redfield, and was an avid NY Yankees fan.
Chester is survived by his loving wife, Donna; children, Kathleen and Peter Grant of Higginsville, Chester H. Jr, and Susan Martin of Frankfort, John F. and Cheri Martin of Lee Center, and Brian and Melody Martin of Timberlake, NC; sisters in law, and brothers in law, Lorraine and Gordon Bryan, Nancy and Roger Smith, Linda and George Crossley, Susan and Richard Rathbun and Francis Pelow; grandchildren, Christina, Carl, Erik, Adam, Kimberly, Jessica, Joshua, Keith, Jacob and Abigail; 15 great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and godchildren. He was predeceased by a daughter, Mary; siblings, Ruth E. Martin, Alcenia Sherwood, Ella Manley, Harriet Benn, Edward F. Martin, Edwin Martin, Jr, and Frederick Martin.
The family wishes to sincerely thank the staff and nurses of Hospice and Palliative Care for the care, compassion and friendship extended to Chester during his illness.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10:00 AM, at St. Joseph’s Church in Lee Center. Burial will be in Lee Valley Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care.