ROBERT “DUDLEY” MARTIN

    Robert Dudley Martin, 81, son of Ila Fern (Brown) Martin and Albert M. Martin was born September 1, 1932 in rural Tingley, Iowa. Bob passed away in Mount Ayr, Iowa on May 5, 2014 after a heroic battle with cancer, with his family at his side.
    Bob attended country school kindergarten through eighth grade and then attended Mount Ayr Community school where he graduated in 1950. He then enlisted in the Army in 1952 and served until 1954 in the Korean War.
    In 1955 he married Verna Mae Dillenburg. To this union three daughters were born, Peggy Lee, Barbara Jean and Beth Ann.  There are five family members carrying on the Robert name.
    Bob was an Archer Oil dealer from 1966-2006 and a 4-H leader from 1984-1993. He was inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame in 2003 and he was very active in the Ringgold County Fair from 1977 to 2011. Bob farmed from 1955 to 2005 where most of his life was spent living in Caledonia. He was on the Lotts Creek Township board, 4-H Youth Council, Pioneer Cemetery board, Farm Bureau member for several years and read meters for over 20 years.
    Some of Bob’s favorite pastimes were fishing, county fair, spending time with his grandkids and great-grandkids and just hanging out with his brother, Howard.
    He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws; great granddaughter, Faith Elliott; brothers in-law, Lyle Todd, Duane, Bob, Burl and Marvin Dillenburg, Marlin Glick, Joe Daniels and Kenneth Howell; sister-in-law, Shirley Martin, and niece, Deb Todd.
    Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Verna, of 59 years; daughters, Peggy (Jerry) Overholser of Redding, Iowa, Barb (Steve) Clark of Tingley, Iowa and Beth (Roger) Elliott of Lamoni, Iowa; grandchildren, Brenda (Sheldon) Comer of Tingley, Iowa, Lesa (John) Darrah and Jeff (Brandi) Overholser, all of Redding, Iowa, Angela (George) Thurman, April Hentges and Andy (Danica) Clark, all of Mount Ayr, Iowa, Randi Elliott (friend Shelby Lane) of Lamoni, Iowa and Jessica Elliott (friend Chris Chistensen) of Decatur, Iowa; great-grandchildren, Aaron, Tucker, BayLee and Alexis Darrah, Shelby and Shane Comer, Jordyn and Ellyott Overholser, Alycia and Zachary Thurman, Aubree Clark and Ethan and Masyn Elliott; brother, Howard Martin of Mount Ayr, Iowa; sisters, Doris Todd of Mount Ayr, Iowa and Mary (James) Harris of Grand River, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Mary Etta Dillenburg of Omaha, Nebraska, Alice Dillenburg of Creston, Iowa, Betty Dillenburg of Arkansas, Donna Howell of Des Moines, Iowa, Lila Dillenburg of Blair, Nebraska, Janis Daniels of Ottumwa, Iowa, Lois (Harold) Baker of Keosauqua, Iowa and Mary Ellen Dillenburg of Mount Ayr, Iowa; brother-in-law, James Dillenburg of Omaha, Nebraska; several nieces and nephews, and a host of great friends.
    Service will be held at Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr on Saturday, May 10, 2014, with Pastor Ed Shields and Pastor Barton Shields officiating.
    Musical selections will include “Go Rest High on That Mountain,” “Victory In Jesus” and “Daddy’s Hands.”
    Honorary casket bearers are Jerry Shields, Dawn Dugan, Bill Stull, Loren Haveman, George Hosfield, Jim Coulson and Judy Hensley.
    Active casket bearers include                                                                                                                                   Kraig Pennington, Lee Martin, Robert Martin, Rudy Hockemeier, Darren Martin and Ed Dugan.
    A memorial fund in Robert’s name is to be decided later.
    Military rites will be by Ringgold Post 172 and Iowa Army National Honor Guard.
    Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr.