Jonathan Martin

A man of humor, love, wit and friendship, Jonathan Martin, Sr. departed this earth surrounded by loved ones on Thursday, September 5, 2019 at Henry Ford Hospital. He was loved as much as he gave love.

Jonathan, affectionately known as "Joe", was born on December 25, 1946 (a Christmas gift) at St. Mary's Hospital in Saginaw, Michigan to Moses Sr. and Irene Martin. When Joe was still young, the Martin family moved back to Arkansas where Joe lived until he graduated from Coleman High School in Pine Bluff, Arkansas in 1965. Later that year, Jonathan relocated back to Saginaw, Michigan where he worked at the Malleable Iron Plant, being a diligent worker and faithful member of UAW Local 455 for over 40 years.

Joe's contagious personality spilled over to family and friends. Never one to sit still, he was a man about town sharing his love and infectious joy with others as he checked on them. This usually included exchanging stories and words of encouragement. If you had a subject, he had a fact or a memory. He also enjoyed cooking, traveling, trivia, yard work and watching westerns. Joe leaves us with a smile and a laugh that is worth a thousand words.

Jonathan leaves to cherish his memory a daughter, Audrey (Brian) James, Lake Mary, Florida; four sons from his union with Diane Washington Martin, Eric Martin, Ionia, Michigan, Jonathan Jr. (Fonda) Martin, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Derryl (Monica) Martin, Saginaw, Michigan, Vance (Tracey) Martin, Saginaw, Michigan; son and step-daughter from his union with Ledoris Martin, Anthony (Trinity) Martin, Reese, Michigan, Michelle (Carlos) Wells, Ponchatula, Louisiana; three sisters, Julianna Williford and Irene Thomas, both of Saginaw, Michigan, Lorene Martin, Pine Bluff, Arkansas; two brothers, Ronnie Martin, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Johnny Martin, Saginaw, Michigan; goddaughters, Velissa Batts, Melissa Owens, Bridgette Martin Freeman and Dione Barrett; special granddaughter Antera Wells; twenty-four grandchildren; forty-one great-grandchildren; special friends, Bennie Batts, Sr., John Jackson, Kossie McCaskey, George Porter, Osborne Goggins; many other relatives and friends.

Jonathan was preceded in death by his wife, Ledoris Martin; parents, Moses Sr. and Irene Martin; sisters, Millie Martin and Emma Crosby; brothers, Moses Jr., Elijah and Ceabon Martin; sisters-in-law, Verba and Felecia Martin; brothers-in-law, Marshall Crosby, Jr. and Robert Thomas.

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