Arthur C Martin

Arthur C. Martin, 93, of Sheffield died at 7:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011, at Perry Memorial Hospital in Princeton. Born Nov. 18, 1917, in Neponset to Art and Stella (McClure) Martin, he married Dorothy B. Harrison May 27, 1939, in Burlington, Iowa. She survives at Walnut Manor in Walnut. He was a 1935 graduate of Buda High School and attended welding school in Troy, Ohio, after the war. He was the owner and operator of Martin Welding Shop in Sheffield for 46 years, retiring in 1992. He taught welding at Black Hawk College in Kewanee and at Barcol Overdoor in Sheffield. He was a member of H.F. Hortz American Legion 415 and served on the Sheffield Fire Department for 60 years, 20 as fire chief. He was a life-long member of Ames Lodge 142 A.F. & A.M. in Sheffield and served as district deputy, master and treasurer. He was also a member of Walnut Lodge 722 and served on the Sheffield Village Board and as interim mayor to finish a term. He also served on the Bureau County Merit Commission. He was a World War II veteran, serving from 1942 to 1945 as a Tech 4 in the army with the 518th Ordinance. Also surviving are one daughter, Judy Zager of Sterling; one grandson, Dennis (Ellen) DeRycke of Annawan; and one sister, Helen Taylor of Foley, Ala. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Robert Martin; and one brother, Glen Martin. There will be no services. Cremation rites will be accorded. Burial will be in the Sheffield Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the Sheffield Fire Department or the First United Church of Christ in Sheffield.