James Edward 'Jim' Martin

DELPHI, IND.- James Edward "Jim" Martin, age 50, beloved son, brother, uncle and friend, died unexpectedly on Monday, July 11, 2011, at 7:44 p.m. at I.U. Health Arnett Hospital, Lafayette, Ind. He was born March 13, 1961, in Madison, to John Martin and Helen M. Hendricks Martin. He graduated from Madison East High School in 1979 and received his B.S. in Agricultural Education from University of Wisconsin in 1984. At his death, he was the Plant Manager at Indiana Packers in Delphi, where he had been employed for 17 years. He attended local Catholic Church services, and was an avid hunter and fisherman. Jim believed in working hard so many could enjoy the fruits of his labor. He was happiest when he could host his family and friends for an evening or weekend of grilling out and laughing. Jim loved his mother's home-cooked meals, hunting walleyes in Canada with his dad, brothers and nephews, chasing Kansas and Indiana whitetails, and hunting pheasants with his favorite German Shorthair, and cheering for the Badgers and Packers. He truly loved life and those close to him. God must have looked down and watched in amazement at how Jim shared the rewards of his hard work and finally thought "Jim, you've worked so hard for so long for so many people, it's time for you to rest in peace in my Kingdom." Surviving are his mother, Helen Martin of Cottage Grove; two sisters, Deborah Martin-Lightfoot (Bob) of Madison and Kathleen Keleher (Steve) of Oconomowoc; four brothers, Michael Martin (Barb) of Fort Atkinson, Stephen Martin (Peggy) of Marshall, Patrick Martin (Marla) of Waukesha, and William Martin of Burnettsville, Ind. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father John "Jack" Martin. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, July 18, 2011, at 11 a.m. at ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH, 434 N. Main St., Cottage Grove, with Father John Sasse presiding. Burial will follow at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 17, 2011. "We will get through this terrible time of grief over our sudden loss, will find solace in all the wonderful memories, but forever miss Jims companionship and his humor." Cemetery: Burial will follow at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery. Visitation: Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 17, 2011. Service: Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, July 18, 2011, at 11 a.m. at ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH, 434 N. Main St., Cottage Grove, with Father John Sasse presiding.