Bemis J. Martin

Bemis J. Martin, 93, of Goshen, passed peacefully in his home May 3, 2019.

Mr. Martin was born April 19, 1926 in Wakarusa to Floyd S. and Velma (Secor) Martin.

He is survived by his loving wife, Eileen (Baker) Martin and his three daughters, Kathleen (Noble) Lamb of Goshen, Janice (Thomas) Pletcher of Champaign, Illinois and Cynthia (Timothy) Riley of Three Rivers, Michigan; four stepchildren, Jamie (Paula) Baker of Rocky Face, Georgia, Wendy (Michael) Borst of Prole, Iowa, Bernard (Beverly) Lambright of Goshen and Coleen (Loren) Sloat of Wakarusa; six grandchildren, nine step-grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson and sister, Eileen Sweazy of Elkhart.

Mr. Martin was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife and mother of his daughters, Patricia (Ummel) Martin; his second wife, Jane (Lambright) Martin and two brothers, Ronald and Dallas Martin.

A 1944 graduate of Concord High School, Mr. Martin attended Bethel College and then graduated from Goshen College in 1959, fulfilling a life-long dream of becoming a teacher.  He graduated summa cum laude with a Master of Science degree in Psychology and Counseling from The University of Notre Dame and continued post-graduate studies there.  He was a social studies teacher and a guidance counselor at North Side Middle School, Elkhart, for 25 years.

In 1997 Bemis was honored for 60 years of involvement and outstanding service in 4-H.  He showed swine and beef as a 4-H member and for over 40 years was a leader of the Elkhart County 4-H Beef Club.  He also served on the Elkhart County 4-H Club Corporation Board.  Bemis continued to volunteer with various aspects of the Elkhart County Fair after his retirement including volunteering with the beef club, gardening judging and winning first prize with a quilt he created.  He and his wife Eileen and their blended family were named Elkhart County 4-H family of the year in 1997 and several years ago received the Friends of the Extension Award.

Bemis loved his Lord and served Him throughout his life.  He was a faithful member of the Nappanee Missionary Church for over 30 years where he and Eileen were lay pastors, mentors of newly married couples and facilitators in the Grief Share Ministry for many years.  Previously he was a member of Brenneman Memorial Missionary Church, Goshen for more than 40 years where he served as a youth leader, Sunday School Superintendent, Church Board member, Building Committee Chairman and Young Married Class Sunday School teacher.

Bemis Martin will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, a devoted brother, a dedicated teacher, a leader of young people and most importantly, as a servant of Jesus Christ.

Viewing will be Thursday, May 9, 2019, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and one hour prior to the Friday, 10:30 a.m., Celebration of Life service at Nappanee Missionary Church.  Pastor Dave Engbrecht will officiate.  Burial will follow at 2 p.m. in Violett Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Nappanee Missionary Church Missions or Goshen Home Care and Hospice.

Yoder-Culp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.