Clifford Alfred Martin, Jr.

Clifford A. Martin, Jr., 81, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Saturday, February 9, 2008, at Plum Creek Care Center in Lexington. He was born August 1, 1926, at Cozad, Nebraska, to Clifford A. and Leota L. (Flint) Martin. His father farmed in the Cozad, Sumner, and Oconto areas. Clifford graduated in December, 1944, from Oconto High School. He was then inducted in to the United States Army to serve his Country during WWII. He served in Japan and the Phillipines. So, since his stint in the Army started in December of 1944, he was actually a graduate of the class of 1945. He was Honorably Discharged in November of 1946. He was united in marriage to Pearl Stockham on February 18, 1951, at Oconto, Nebraska. Two sons were blessed to this union; Charles and Gayle. The couple moved to Dawson County in 1955, where Clifford went to work for Philip Stieb. He later worked for Marion Menke, Wayne Nansel, the City of Lexington, David Harum Feeds (where he really enjoyed waiting on customers), the Eaton Corporation and New Holland. He also helped his sons and always gave 100% to any job he worked at. He was a very honest and hardworking man and was usually up before 5:00 a.m. and never stopped working until after 6:00 p.m. He so loved his grandchildren – he was the one to teach them how to drive, sometimes without their parents actually knowing!! Clifford was a member of the Berean Bible Church since 1960, and served on the Church board for a number of years. He was also a member of the VFW. Survivors include his wife: Pearl Martin of Lexington, Nebraska Two sons: Charles (Anita) Martin of Lexington, Nebraska Gayle (Joanna) Martin of Almena, Kansas One brother: Roger (Sharon) Martin of Oconto, Nebraska Six sisters: Darlene (Verlouis) Forster of Smithfield, Nebraska Violet “Vi” Eggleston of Oconto, Nebraska Wanda “Bonnie” Eggleston of Oconto, Nebraska Beulah Eggleston of Oconto, Nebraska Ruth (Sid) Magoon of Lexington, Nebraska Virginia (Virgil) Coryell of Lexington, Nebraska Nine grandchildren: Jeremy (Gail) Martin of Hershey, Nebraska Bryce (Valerie) Martin of Grand Junction, Iowa Amy (Chad) Trutna of Lincoln, Nebraska Trevor (Rachel) Martin of Manhattan, Kansas Cory Martin and Nathan Martin of Almena, Kansas Braden Kersch of Grand Island, Nebraska Richie Kersch of Almena, Kansas Brianna Martin of Almena, Kansas Three great-grandchildren: Chase Elliott Martin of Hershey, Nebraska; Landon Jacob and Callie Noel Martin of Grand Junction, Iowa Clifford was preceded in death by his parents; two infant siblings, Richard and Evelyn; and brothers-in-law, Keith, Kenneth and Donald Eggleston, Jim Davis, Jim Stockham, Frank Wackerla; and sisters-in-law, Doris Jean Wackerla and Shirley Nelsen. Funeral Services will be Wednesday, February 13, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. the Berean Bible Church in Lexington with Pastor Glenn Johnson, officiating. Burial with Military Honors will be in the Evergreen Cemetery at Lexington. Visitation will be held Tuesday, Feburary 12, 2008, from 7-9 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Chapel in Lexington. Memorials are suggested to the Berean Bible Church. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements.