Gary Edward Martin

Gary Edward Martin, age 71, of Goshen, Indiana, died suddenly at home of natural causes on March 21, 2025.

Gary was the much-loved husband of Patricia (Mierau) Martin, father of Rochelle Martin (Matt Graham), Joel Martin (Marita), Carrie Martin, and Jared Martin, and grandfather to Morghen, Jan, Gwynn, Taylor, Brice, Madison, Lauryn, and Adam, along with bonus grandchildren Stephanie Randolph (Micah) and Lisa Gremore (Donovan) and eight great- grandchildren.  He was a friend, pastor, and colleague of so many.

Gary was predeceased by his parents Dale and Sylvia (Schrock) Martin, and brothers L. Brian (Sue), Dennis (Carol), and Stan (Julie) Martin.

Born on February 13, 1954, Gary grew up in Dunlap and graduated from Bethany Christian High School in 1971.  He married Pat that same summer, and they were loving partners for 53 years.  He earned a BA from Grace College in Winona Lake, and an MDiv from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries in Elkhart.

Pastor of too many Mennonite and Church of the Brethren congregations to name, Gary began his ministry at Silver Street (now Silverwood) Mennonite Church at the age of 20.  Since then, he planted churches in Chicago (a city which he loved) and Goshen, and served as a transitional minister at 19 congregations across 5 states.  He taught Urban Ministry and Evangelism at AMBS, and later educated transitional ministers through the Interim Ministry Network, as one of the leading experts in this field.  He had recently retired from his last interim post at Crest Manor Church of the Brethren in Mishawaka.  Many congregations have been transformed by his leadership during times of crisis and discernment.

Throughout his ministry at other churches, Gary was a long-time member of Faith Mennonite Church, Goshen, which he helped to plant in 1988.

Gary will be remembered as a loving and engaged partner, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and also as a passionate and skilled Mennonite minister, and a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ.  He was a deeply thoughtful and conscientious man, who sought to do all he could to leave the world around him better for his having been there.  Gary was a good steward of the life he was given.

Gary’s salsa-gardening, wood-stacking-and-fire-making, newspaper-clipping-and-sharing, smart-and-funny-email-writing, bluegrass-bass-playing, pun-making, and his I-get-the-joke smile, will be greatly missed.

One of the first things Gary did upon retirement was to research and make plans for a natural burial, which has occurred at Benton Lutheran Cemetery.  He was lovingly carried and then buried there by his immediate family, near lands his ancestors farmed for generations.

A memorial service will be held at Assembly Mennonite Church, 727 New York St, Goshen, on Saturday March 29, 2025 at 1pm.  All are welcome.  The family will receive visitors following this service, and refreshments and a time of sharing memories will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Mennonite Central Committee, with thanks.