Eugene F. "Gene" Martin, Janesville  (1935 - 2012)

November 25, 1935 - November 22, 2012
Eugene F. "Gene" Martin, age 76, of Janesville died unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012. Gene was born on Nov. 25, 1935, in East Chicago, IN, the son of the late Eugene E. and Frances (George) Martin. After moving to a farm in Magnolia, WI, in 1941, Gene attended Magnolia Elementary School and graduated from Evansville, WI High School in 1953. He attended Purdue University in Indiana, before entering the US Army in 1955. Gene served with the 581st Engr. BN, 3rd Infantry Division in France, as a logistic technician, earning a Purple Heart in Lebanon. After he was Honorably discharged in 1957, he entered a career in the life insurance business, retiring in 1979 as a V.P., Regional Manager in Arizona, for American General Insurance Co. before returning to Wisconsin.
On June 10, 1989, he married Shirley B. Wolff at Asbury United Methodist Church in Janesville. Gene was a veteran motor route carrier for the Janesville Gazette, serving his 400 + subscribers from 1995 until he retired in 2011, due to health issues. Gene was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, Orak Shrine Masonic Lodge in Indiana, NRA, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the Footville American Legion Post #237. Gene was an avid outdoorsman, who loved his family, his country and the Green Bay Packers.
Gene is survived by his wife, Shirley; two children: Robert E. (Jill) Martin of Fishers, IN, and Diane L. (David) Ballard of El Paso, TX; grandchildren: Austin (Gina) Martin of San Antonio, TX, Britney Martin of Fishers, IN, and Bryce Ballard of El Paso, TX. He is further survived by his great-granddaughter, Elyse Martin; and great-grandson: Hudson Martin, both of San Antonio, TX; special niece and Goddaughter, Debra (Dennis) Viar of North Judson, IN; and many other nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Sandra S. Feder; and brother, James C. Martin.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012, at ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 1810 Kellogg Ave., Janesville, with Rev. Wendee Nitz officiating. Burial with full Military Rites will be held at Maple Hill Cemetery in Evansville. Visitation will be on Tuesday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the CHURCH. Memorials may be made in Gene's name to the Rock County Humane Society.
Whitcomb - Lynch Funeral Home
& Cremation Services, 21 S. Austin Road, Janesville, WI
(608) 752-2444 www.whitcomb-lynch.com