Obituary for Vernon Eugene Martin
Vernon (Papa) Eugene Martin, 83, of Springfield, Missouri passed away on Sunday, September 6th, 2020 at Jordan Creek Nursing and Rehab.
Vernon was born October 6th, 1936 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The son of Albert Martin and Ruth (Anderson) Martin. Vernon grew up with his two sisters in an immigrant community in the Twin Cities. Years later, he would often recall how much he loved growing up in such a diverse neighborhood and hearing numerous languages spoken. As a child, he loved ice skating on the frozen lakes and ice fishing. As a young man, Vernon joined the Air Force as an Airman First Class, working as a jet mechanic. While stationed near Kansas City, Missouri, he met the love of his life, Mary Lois Brinegar. Their mutual friends set them up on a blind date in which they played putt putt golf. The two married in 1956. They soon had their first daughter, Rebecca, and moved to Minnesota where they had their second daughter, Cheryl. In 1967, the family moved to Riverside, California where they lived until they returned to Missouri in 1993.
He maintained a witty sense of humor all his life, and loved playing with his five grandchildren. He had several favorite things, he loved malted milk shakes, oreo cookies and coffee. Papa could build and fix anything. Never was there anything broken that he couldn’t fix. He loved birds, rocks, drawing, photography, and playing hymns on the harmonica.
Vernon was described by his family as an “angel on earth.” His favorite book was the Bible. He devoted his life to the Lord and was well versed in scripture. He taught various Sunday School classes throughout his life. He was a kind and outgoing individual, who loved to strike up conversation with anyone around. Vernon was an excellent role model
for his family, and taught them to accept and love anyone, no matter their background. The lessons he taught his family has instilled them with an outgoing, communal, and loving spirit. Through his example, his family has remained close even during hard times, serving, sacrificing for, and loving one another unconditionally.
Vernon always kept the following poem in his Bible and always wrote it in the bibles he gave his family.
Standing on the Rock of Ages,
Faint of heart and weak of knee.
But the steadfast Rock of Ages,
Never trembles under me.
He is always there.
Vernon is preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary; his parents, Ruth and Albert Martin; his sister, Patricia and her husband Arnold Erickson.
Vernon is survived by his daughter, Rebecca Martin and her husband Colin; his daughter, Cheryl Denny and her husband Christopher; his grandchildren Joshua Steinke and his wife Alex, Rachel Denny, Lauren Desmond and her husband Bo, Annalise Pearson and her husband Brennan, and Alexander Denny; his sister, Marjorie and his many nieces and nephews and his beloved dog, Meggie Mae.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Freeway South, 2129 N. Bristol Lane Nixa, MO 65714, a ministry close to Papa’s heart. Freeway Ministries believes that through the reasoning of scriptures, people can and will be set free from any and every addiction for the glory of Jesus Christ. Freeway Ministries can be found at freeway-ministries.com.
Vernon was born October 6th, 1936 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The son of Albert Martin and Ruth (Anderson) Martin. Vernon grew up with his two sisters in an immigrant community in the Twin Cities. Years later, he would often recall how much he loved growing up in such a diverse neighborhood and hearing numerous languages spoken. As a child, he loved ice skating on the frozen lakes and ice fishing. As a young man, Vernon joined the Air Force as an Airman First Class, working as a jet mechanic. While stationed near Kansas City, Missouri, he met the love of his life, Mary Lois Brinegar. Their mutual friends set them up on a blind date in which they played putt putt golf. The two married in 1956. They soon had their first daughter, Rebecca, and moved to Minnesota where they had their second daughter, Cheryl. In 1967, the family moved to Riverside, California where they lived until they returned to Missouri in 1993.
He maintained a witty sense of humor all his life, and loved playing with his five grandchildren. He had several favorite things, he loved malted milk shakes, oreo cookies and coffee. Papa could build and fix anything. Never was there anything broken that he couldn’t fix. He loved birds, rocks, drawing, photography, and playing hymns on the harmonica.
Vernon was described by his family as an “angel on earth.” His favorite book was the Bible. He devoted his life to the Lord and was well versed in scripture. He taught various Sunday School classes throughout his life. He was a kind and outgoing individual, who loved to strike up conversation with anyone around. Vernon was an excellent role model
for his family, and taught them to accept and love anyone, no matter their background. The lessons he taught his family has instilled them with an outgoing, communal, and loving spirit. Through his example, his family has remained close even during hard times, serving, sacrificing for, and loving one another unconditionally.
Vernon always kept the following poem in his Bible and always wrote it in the bibles he gave his family.
Standing on the Rock of Ages,
Faint of heart and weak of knee.
But the steadfast Rock of Ages,
Never trembles under me.
He is always there.
Vernon is preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary; his parents, Ruth and Albert Martin; his sister, Patricia and her husband Arnold Erickson.
Vernon is survived by his daughter, Rebecca Martin and her husband Colin; his daughter, Cheryl Denny and her husband Christopher; his grandchildren Joshua Steinke and his wife Alex, Rachel Denny, Lauren Desmond and her husband Bo, Annalise Pearson and her husband Brennan, and Alexander Denny; his sister, Marjorie and his many nieces and nephews and his beloved dog, Meggie Mae.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Freeway South, 2129 N. Bristol Lane Nixa, MO 65714, a ministry close to Papa’s heart. Freeway Ministries believes that through the reasoning of scriptures, people can and will be set free from any and every addiction for the glory of Jesus Christ. Freeway Ministries can be found at freeway-ministries.com.