Roger A. Martin

Roger A. Martin, age 80, of Jasonville, passed away Friday morning, May 3, 2024, in his home, with his wife of 44 years by his side. Born January 7, 1944, in Kokomo, he was the son of Earl and Bessie (Thurston) Martin.

After graduating from Tipton Township High School in 1962, Roger spent time traveling and being a free-spirited outdoorsman, working on ranches, breaking horses and doing several other jobs along the way. Roger then settled down in the Kokomo area, took a job at Chrysler and met his beloved wife, Mary Ann. After working for 36 years at Chrysler, Roger retired, in 1998, and he and his wife purchased his dream property in Jasonville where he was able to, once again, be an outdoorsman. Roger loved hunting, fishing and mastered woodworking, making beautiful furniture and pieces for his friends and family. He was also an extremely skilled hunter and trapper, always looking to become an expert in new proficiencies and hunting different game. He never hunted just for sport, always making use of the meat and hides that God had blessed him with. Roger’s favorite hunting pastime quickly became training and running squirrel dogs. Like so many things he did, Roger was a natural at training hunting dogs. People came from all over to bring dogs for Roger to train, even training dogs that covered hunting magazines. Nothing made Roger happier, though, than finally being able to share his love for hunting and fishing with his grandchildren. Teaching each of them gun safety, skilled marksmanship and the art of casting a line was Roger’s greatest accomplishment, and what he loved most in life. When his health would no longer allow him to hunt and fish like he once had, Roger didn’t let that stop him. He still did all he could outdoors and started donating his time to volunteer at God’s Safe Haven and with the youth at Jasonville Assembly of God. Jasonville Assembly of God became a second home for Roger and Mary Ann, soon after they moved to Jasonville. Roger met so many people that he loved and cherished through the church and he and Mary Ann were eternally grateful for the love and support that they had through the church, especially when Roger’s health was struggling.

Roger is survived by his wife, Mary Ann (Bales) Martin; his sister, Janyth Brantley; his daughters, Marcy (Rob) Bales of Sharpsville, Michelle (Kenny) Waitt, of Cicero, Sandy (Marty) Wilkinson of Windfall, Stephanie (Andy) Minor of Kokomo and Jennifer Oslter of Kokomo; his grandchildren, Kenny Ostler (Aprille), Kristine Chapman (Eric), Shelby Pini (Adam), Andru Sams (Kayla), Katie Waitt, Darcee Collins (Cory), Brooke Minghini (Austin), Jacob Minor, Carli Minor, Danielle Purnell (Cedric), Chris Garling (Amber), Amanda-Joe Garling, Samantha Larrison-Bales, Joshua Bales and Kaila Oglageo (Nick) and several great-grandchildren.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Bessie (Thurston) Martin; siblings, Gene, Jack, Steve, Dave, Sharlyn “Susie” and Reggie: grandchildren, Austin Sams, Jessica Pascoe and Ashli Walker.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Youth Mission Speed the Light- Jasonville Assembly of God or God’s Safe Haven of Jasonville.

Visitation will take place Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Jasonville Assembly of God, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. with services to follow.

Roger’s beloved grandson Kenneth Ostler will officiate the services.