James W. Martin

James Warnes Martin, 74, of Lafayette, passed away at home on Tuesday, February 23, 2016.

He was born March 12, 1941, to Rev. Ralph M. and Edna Warnes Martin in Aledo, Illinois. As a youngster, his family moved to many places around the Midwest, due to the calling of his father's church responsibilities. He graduated from Brookston High School in 1959.

On December 9, 1966, he married Mary Green in Lafayette.  She survives.  They had two children, a son, Shawn, and a daughter, Heather (spouse Robert Hollingsworth).

He was a longtime member and lay leader at the Pyrmont United Methodist Church, then became a member of the Pyrmont Church of the Brethren when the Methodist church closed.

He worked many years at Peerless Wire in Lafayette, before they closed down.  Shortly thereafter, he worked at Anheuser-Busch/Staley/Tate and Lyle North plant in Lafayette, until retiring in 2002.

They made their home in Pyrmont for 44 years where Jim enjoyed the country life of growing flowers, gardening, raising a variety of animals, and watching the birds, squirrels, and chipmunks scurry around and eat at the several feeders he had outside the window. This love of the rural life led to his significant involvement in his children's and their classmates’ 4-H and FFA projects, and he continued that involvement with the neighborhood kids even after his children completed their careers in those organizations.

He was an avid Civil War buff and liked to fish.

They moved to Lafayette in 2013 and he continued his love of watching the many animals and birds that came by for a visit.

In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by his two younger sisters, Barbara (Walter) Trafton of Bowie, Maryland, and Betsy (Byron) Brown of Tallahassee, Florida.  A great granddaughter, nieces, great nieces, and a great nephew, as well as many cousins also survive.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations for Crystal Creek Kennel in Battle Ground (www.pleasespay.org) which does some pet rescue and is where Jim's beloved and adored dog Taco Bill, was adopted from.

A Celebration of Jim's life will take place on Friday February 26, 2016, at 12:00 noon at the Pyrmont Church of the Brethren.  The family will receive visitors at 11:00 a.m. until the Celebration begins at the church.  Arrangements are entrusted to Genda Funeral Home Rossville Chapel.  Online condolences may be directed to www.gendafuneralhome.com.