DONALD "DONNIE" RAY MARTIN

Described as an awesome husband, father, papaw, a prayer warrior, and a man who looked to make the world around him a better place, Donald Martin was a gift in the lives of those around him. He was an outdoorsman through and through who had a special place in his heart for all animals as well. Don was a devoted father who found his greatest delight in his grandchildren as it was easy to see that they were his richest source of pride and joy. He was guided by an unwavering faith that was the compass he used to direct his steps and the reason for the joy in his heart. Although his journey on this side of heaven ended much too soon, Don will be forever remembered by all who were blessed to feel his touch.

The 1960s were a time of great change in America. This was the age of youth when the babies from the baby boom generation of the 1950s became teens and had dynamic plans of changing the world around them. This was the decade that we elected the young John F. Kennedy as our 35th President of the United States only to mourn his death just a couple of years later. It was just as this decade was getting underway that a young couple from Fort Wayne, Indiana, was anticipating the birth of their new baby. Their wait was over on May 12, 1961, when the baby boy they named Donald Ray made his arrival. He was a Rileys Baby welcomed into the world by his parents, Gerald "Wink" E. and Melzina "Babe" (Rice) Martin, Sr., and he was raised in the family home in Monroeville alongside his siblings, Jerry, Jo, Janice, Deena, and Paul.

It was while growing up that Donnie, as he was sometimes known, developed his lifelong love with the outdoors. He was interested in wildlife and camping, too. While a student at Heritage High School Don joined a job corps and studied forestry out in Oregon during his senior year. While there he hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. Donnie went on to graduate in 1979.

Life was forever changed for Don when he met the young woman with whom he would share the best years of his life. Her name was Joyce "Lynn" Runyon, and they met while they were both moving their friends into a house. Although he was not able to secure her last name or phone number, Don, who was rather smitten with Lynn, kept asking her friend for Lynns phone number. Always determined, he finally wrote her a letter with his phone number in it and gave it to her friend. Lynn did call him, and the rest is history as they say. Their love grew over the next couple of years, and two years to the day after they first laid eyes on each other they were united in marriage on June 23, 1984, in Warsaw, Indiana. The newlyweds moved to Ft. Wayne and became a family with two sons, Jessie and Joseph. In 1989 the bustling family moved to Columbia City. As a family they enjoyed being active, taking vacations to such places as the Smokey Mountains and camping and hiking at Mt. LeConte. The Martin family also camped in Brown County and canoeing at Chain of Lakes.

Throughout his life Donnie was one to work hard. His working days started on a veal farm in Ft. Wayne before settling in at Lincoln Food Services where he remained for over 29 years. In 2013, Donnie started working for Zimmer.

There were numerous ways in which Don enriched his life. His love for the outdoors remained, and he was a Master Falconer in Whitley County and a Raptor Rehabilitator. Don volunteered in the South Bend and Fort Wayne areas to train and rehabilitate Red Tail Hawks, Falcons, or any bird of prey. If given the choice with hunting, he would choose a Red Tail Hawk every time. He was also a member of the Indiana Falconers Association. Donnie loved being outdoors and doing everything he could to help wounded and injured animals heal. He also liked watching his boys and grandchildren play and compete in their various sporting events. Dons love for the outdoors was satiated with memorable hikes in both the Grand Canyon and on the Appalachian Trail. In addition, he was a member of Shiloh Chapel in Akron and had recently been attending New Hope Wesleyan Church in Columbia City.

With unending love for those around him, Donald Martin was an extraordinary man to know and love. He was a humble man of honor and integrity whose generosity was beyond measure. A more devoted husband and father would be hard to find as he lived to love and provide for his family. Life will never be the same without Don here, but his timeless legacy that is deeply rooted in fun-loving adventure, faith, and unconditional love will be carried on by those who follow him.

Donald "Don" Ray Martin, of Columbia City, IN, died at 12:56 a.m. Sunday, March 2, 2014, at his home. Dons family includes his wife of almost 30 years, Joyce "Lynn" Martin; sons, Jessie (Ashley) Brewester of Honolulu, HI and Joseph Brewester of Columbia City; grandchildren, Joseph "Jo Jo" Jr., Zoe, Serena, Carson, and Aiden; sisters, Jo (Clarence) Boring of Silver Lake, Janice (Larry) Foster of Fort Wayne, and Deena (Mike) Dillion of Ossian; brother, Paul (Chelle) Martin of Greentown; and sister-in-law, Bobby Martin of Fort Wayne. Don was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jerry Martin.

A memorial gathering will be held on Thursday, March 6, 2014, from 1-4 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City with a memorial service starting at 4 p.m. Pastors Jonny Gillum, Charley Easterday, Dwight Wagner officiating. Memorial gifts may be given in Don's memory to Riley Childrens Foundation or Owl Acres Raptor Rehabilitation I.C.O. Carole Riewe.