Ronald Martens

Ronald Addison Martens died on September 16, 2018. He was born December 14, 1929 in Kalamazoo to Harold and Cora DeYoung Martens. Ron attended the South Westnedge School and was a graduate of the Leggett School ('44), Athens Agricultural Schools ('48) and the University of Michigan ('52, '54). In 1956 he embarked on a 30 year career with the Federal Government. This included 24 years with the US Civil Service Commission and its successor, the Office of Personnel Management. He moved to the Defense Property Disposal Service in Battle Creek in 1980 and retired in 1986. On August 31, 1957 he was united in marriage to Lois Gregory. Ron was an active Presbyterian layman, serving as deacon, elder and trustee. He had served on committees of the Presbytery of Lake Michigan, Synod of the Covenant and was a delegate to the 1987 General Assembly. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Richland. Ron was one of the initial donors and board members for Cedar Park Senior Housing in Schoolcraft. He had served on the board of South County Community Services. A botanist by training, his passion was growing fruits, vegetables and flowers. He was a master gardener and enjoyed exhibiting his produce and flowers at the Kalamazoo and St. Joseph County Fairs. He had been a vendor at the farmers markets in Vicksburg and Richland. Ron was a patron of the arts and had been a season ticket holder at the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre for more than three decades. Ron was preceded in death by his wife, Lois (2010); his parents; his brother, Richard (2016). Survivors include: his children, Alan (Cheryl) Martens of Holland, Camille (Martin) Subject of Leslie and Nathan (Wendy Rice) Martens of Galesburg; seven grandchildren: Jasen Rademacher, Sarah and Matthew Subject, Emma, Samuel, Elizabeth "Betsy" and Nicholas Martens; three great grandchildren; a sister, Shirley Martens of Carlton, OR; an aunt, Lucille Marusek of Bradenton, FL; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 28, 2018 at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Richland. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Caregivers Conference at Transformations Spirituality Center or the First Presbyterian Church of Richland.