Charles Martin

On April 5, 2023, Charles Ray Martin, beloved husband, father and friend, passed away the age of 99 years young at St Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Charles was born September 10, 1923, in the Linn Grove area of Mount Vernon, Iowa, to Raymond and Gladys Strother Martin. Charles graduated from Martelle High School in 1941. He then served in the U.S. Army in Japan and Korea. Later he married Nancy Milburn on December 6, 1952, at the First Methodist Church in Marion, Iowa. He worked construction and then started farming in the Linn Grove area from 1954 until he retired in 2012. He was always reminding all of us 'I've been farming for 50 years!' His passion was his family and dancing. He was a member of the Linn Grove Presbyterian Church and the American Legion Post #298. He is survived by his three children, Rai (Jim) Brown, Cedar Rapids, Kim (Cal) Wilson, Cedar Rapids, and Kevin (Jody) Martin, rural Mount Vernon; eight grandchildren, Luke (Ticey) Ellyson, Brandon (Lily) Wilson, Lauren (Tom) Swain, Amber Davis, Katie (Eric) Parpart, Matthew Martin, Jared Martin and Casey Martin; 15 great grandchildren and one on the way, sister-in-law, Becky Martin; brother-in-law, Don Koppenhaver; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy; his parents; brother Wayne Martin; and sisters, Ruth (Bernard) Switzer and Margaret Koppenhaver. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at Linn Grove Presbyterian Church, rural Mount Vernon. Burial with military honors will follow at the Linn Grove Cemetery. After the graveside service, the family invites everyone back to the church for lunch. Arrangements are with Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon. Memorials may be directed to Linn Grove Presbyterian Church.