John 'Jack' C. Martin

COTTAGE GROVE-Jack Martin, age 82, of Madison and Cottage Grove, passed away at home on Nov. 4, 2010. Born on Aug. 12, 1928, in Shullsburg, Jack is the son of John Martin and Irene Boyle Martin. He married his high school sweetheart Helen Hendricks on June 30, 1951, in Cuba City. Helen was by his side in love and support for more than 59 years, including in his final moments. Visitation is at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 8, 2010, with a Rosary service to be held at 7:30 p.m. Dont be afraid to bring an extra story or two to share while youre in line with Jacks many, many friends. There will also be another visitation at ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH, 434 N. Main St., Cottage Grove from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the church with Monsignor Raymond Kertz presiding. Burial will take place in the church cemetery with military rights being conducted. Well have lunch at the Parish Center, so please stick around. Mom (Helen) always makes sure theres plenty of food available. Along with Helen, survivors include a whole bunch of children: Deb (Bob) Martin Lightfoot, Mike (Barb) Martin, Steve (Peggy) Martin, Pat (Marla) Martin, Jim Martin, Bill Martin, and Kathy (Steve) Keleher; grandchildren Nathan and Patrick Lightfoot, Rebecca Martin, Elizabeth (Patrick) Flandreau, Dan (Shayla) Martin, Emily (John) McNiel, Mary Kate Martin, Justin Martin, Garret Martin, Laura Martin, Tyler Jack Martin, and Kaci, Connor and Brendan Keleher; great grandchildren Justus and Asher McNiel, and Aiden Lightfoot. Jack also is survived by his twin sister Jean (Melvin) Erner. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Evelyn Straub, and brother-in-law Lyle Straub, and several aunts and uncles. After serving with the Army Air Corps in occupied Japan, Jack attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, graduating with a degree in Education. He taught Industrial Arts at Evansville, WI, for a few years, then moved to Madison, teaching at East High School for a couple of decades, and honing his patience and steeling his nerves by teaching Drivers Ed for many semesters and summers. Never one to sit still, Jack received both a Masters and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin Madison. After leaving East High School he worked as director of what is now the Jo Daviess Carroll (IL) Area Vocational Center, then taught at Jefferson High School, worked for the UW-Madison system, and then for Edusystems, handling a training/development project and overseeing theconstruction of a delsalinization plantin Saudi Arabia before retiring. Jack (and Helen) also served in various volunteer roles at St. Patrick Catholic Church and School in Madison, and he was an Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 148 in Madison which also included his five sons. Jack and Helen instilled in their family a desire to learn, grow and serve. Their children and grandchildren reflect more than 17 college degrees, and have served or are serving in the Peace Corps, Army and Army Reserves, Marine Corps, and doing missionary education work in Africa, plus school, church and civic group volunteering. He loved to fish and hunt, pursuing walleyes, whitetails and pheasants with appreciation and passion traits carried today by his children and grandchildren. We fully expect that on Thursday, when Dad was nearing the Pearly Gates, Our Lord gave St. Peter a nudge "Thats Jack Martin," He likely said."THE Jack Martin!" "What? The one who took his five boys all of them at the same time fishing in a 14-foot row boat! That shows just a little bit of craziness, doesnt it?" Peter would have asked."Yes", God would have answered, "a little bit of craziness, but a whole lot of love." We miss you, Pops! Leave a few walleyes for the rest of us. Cemetery: Burial will take place in the church cemetery with military rights being conducted. Visitation: Visitation is at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 8, 2010, with a Rosary service to be held at 7:30 p.m. Dont be afraid to bring an extra story or two to share while youre in line with Jacks many, many friends. There will also be another visitation at ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH, 434 N. Main St., Cottage Grove from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010. Service: A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the church with Monsignor Raymond Kertz presiding.