Merle Maurice Martin, age 94, of Beemer, NE passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at the Colonial Haven Nursing Home in Beemer, NE. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Beemer, NE. Interment with military rites will be in the Beemer Cemetery. There will be a luncheon following the committal at the Beemer American Legion Hall. Visitation will be on Monday from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Beemer and will continue on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until service time at the church. Minnick Funeral Home in Wisner in handling the arrangements for the family.

Merle was born on a farm west of Beemer, NE to Benjamin and Katie (Miller) Martin on December 16, 1922. He attended Cuming County Rural School District #7 through 8th grade. and graduated from Beemer High School in 1940. He enlisted in the United States Navy in December 1944 and was sent to Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois.. He was briefly sent to San Francisco, CA before being permanently stationed at a submarine base in Hawaii where he served as a firefighter. Following his discharge in June 1946, Merle returned home to continue helping his dad with farming and raising livestock.

On July 4, 1954, Merle married Arvolene Ott at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Beemer, during a record-setting heat wave. He was confirmed and joined the church on November 9, 1954. Together with their seven children, they farmed and raised livestock, teaching by example the value of faith in God, hard work, service to your community and country, and the joy of family and friends. In 1970, Merle and Arvolene purchased a farm south of Beemer. Merle enjoyed an active life of roller skating, hunting, skiing, playing softball, and bicycling. Macular degeneration forced him to retire from farming in 1998, and Merle and Arvolene moved into town. Merle continued to bike and walk around town despite impaired eyesight, always in his bright orange vest and cap, and with so many caring people looking out for him - just in case. He was proud to achieve the honor of 72 years of continuous service as a member of the American Legion.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Arvolene, their seven children, fourteen grandchildren, and four great grandchildren:
Linda Masterson, Beemer
Bill & Susan Martin, Beemer
Matthew & Alysia Augustus, LaVista, NE
Brooks & Beckham,
Judy & Terry Fullner, Beemer
Ben & Kylie Fullner, Arlington, NE
Brantley, Gemma, & Evie
Bo & Tara Fullner, Elkhorn, NE
Madelyn
Brooke & Jesse Meaike, Houston, TX
Micah Fullner, Beemer
John & Dianne Martin, Bowling Green, KY
Cole & Aarica Martin, Bowling Green
Dillon Martin, Tokyo, Japan
Russell & Raenette Martin, Colby, KS
Rishonna & Bobby Durham, Amarillo, TX
Rhett Martin, Emporia, KS
Dale & Diane Martin, Orchard, NE
Jordan Martin, Superior, NE
Travis Martin, Lincoln
Zachary Martin, Lincoln
Lyle & Pamela Martin, Meridian, ID
Autumn, Denver, Sage Meridian, ID

Merle was preceded in death by his parents, sister Doris, brother Oscar, brother Lorin & Emma Martin, sister Ethel & Bud Hansen, brother Carl & Pat Martin, and grandson Anthony Martin (stillborn).

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