Rudolph C. Martens

Rudolph C. Martens, 87, of Goshen, died early Saturday morning, October 19, 2013, at Greencroft Goshen Healthcare, following an earlier apparent stroke. He was born March 24, 1926 in Tavistock, Ontario, Canada, to Cornelius and Elizabeth (Suderman) Martens. On December 28, 1951, he married Elvina N. Neufeld in Chicago, Illinois. She died April 11, 2012. Surviving are two sons, John (Danile) Martens of Mishawaka, and Philip (Janet Liechty) Martens of Champaign, Illinois; a daughter, Elizabeth (Cleon) Claassen of Moses Lake, Washington; six grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and two step-brothers, Waldemar Dirks of Petersburg, Ontario and Otto Dirks of St. Catherines, Ontario. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 60 years, and a sister, Wanda Martens. Rudy graduated from Waterloo College, Ontario, Canada, with a bachelor's degree and received his theological training from the Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Chicago. He later completed his master's degree in Divinity at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa in 1975. Rudy served as a pastor, teacher, translator, and administrator for 18 years in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In addition to classroom bible teaching, he spent many hours training Congolese student pastors in radio and watch repair, as well as in photography skills, to allow them to supplement their limited congregational resources. He used his enormous technical gifts to maintain hospital and mission equipment in nearly impossible conditions. He also served congregations in Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, and Oklahoma. He was a member of Silverwood Mennonite Church, Goshen. In accordance with Rudy's wishes, his body will be cremated. The family will receive friends 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, October 25, 2013, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home. A 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 26, 2013, memorial service will be conducted at Silverwood Mennonite Church, 1712 W. Clinton St., Goshen. Memorial contributions may be given to Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission (AIMM).