Obituary of Jack Martin

Jack (Earl John) Martin, 84, of The Villages, Florida and formerly of West Liberty, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at UF Health Spanish Plaines Hospital in The Villages, Florida.

A celebration of life visitation will be held 3:30 to 7:00 P.M. Friday, October 18, 2024 at the West Liberty Community Center, 1204 North Calhoun St., West Liberty, Iowa. Private family services will be held Saturday, October 19^th. Burial will be in the Oak Ridge Cemetery, West Liberty.

Jack was born on January 19, 1940, in DeWitt, Iowa, the son of Earl J. and Alice L. (Rock) Martin. He graduated from DeWitt High School and attended the University of Iowa.  Jack honorably served for six years in the 1105 Transportation Unit of the Iowa Army National Guard in Mt. Joy, Iowa. On June 20^th 1962, he married the love of his life, Jeanine Kay (Hawthorne) Martin, with whom he shared 62 wonderful years.

Jack’s career was marked by dedication and service. He worked at the Coast to Coast Hardware store in DeWitt for 11 years and at Iowa Mutual Insurance Company from 1968 to 1978. In 1980 began the Martin Agency, Inc. in West Liberty, where he worked until his retirement in 2005.

An Eagle Scout and recipient of the God and Country Award, Jack was active in his community. He served on the West Liberty Country Club Board, was a member of the Lions Club, and participated in the Masonic Lodge in Clinton IA. He was also a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in DeWitt and attended First Church United in West Liberty.

He enjoyed bowling, golfing, woodworking, landscaping, camping, and was an avid fan of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. His happiest moments were spent watching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whose lives and accomplishments brought him immense pride.

Jack is survived by his devoted wife, Jeanine; his children, Greg (Stephanie) Martin and Chris (Kory) Kaalberg; grandchildren, Ashley Martin, Jonny Martin, Kaity Martin (fiancé Nat Cazarez), Samantha (Alex) Buchheit, Shelby (Edwin) Sagastume, Kathryn Kaalberg (fiancé Kyle Scanlon), Kayla (Brett) Becker, Braydon Smith (Blake Smith), and Colton Kaalberg (Vivian Urmie); and great-grandchildren, Caleb Swindull, Boston Buchheit, Henry Sagastume, Quinn Becker, Brynn Becker, and Wrenley Kaalberg.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to West Liberty Fire & EMS Association, the Mayo Clinic or Moffitt Cancer Center.