The SERVICE for Mr. Martin will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at Hill and Son Funeral Home in Appleton City, Missouri.

The MINISTER will be Brother Joel Yates.

VISITATION will be from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. preceding the service at the funeral home.

MILITARY GRAVESIDE will be presented by the Appleton City VFW & Missouri Honor Guard.

INTERMENT will be in Valley Center Cemetery.

The family suggests any MEMORIAL donations be given to Valley Center Cemetery or the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO.

Donald Ray Martin, 84, passed away peacefully at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, Missouri, on July 15, 2017. The only son of Ray Melvin and Blanche Fern (Chapman) Martin was born on February 26, 1933 in Collins, Missouri. In his youth he advanced through the Boy Scouts, earning the highest rank of Eagle Scout. Shortly after graduating from Humansville High School in 1951, Don was drafted by the U.S. Army and stationed in El Paso, Texas. After fulfilling this service to his country, Don began a career in agriculture, husbandry, and the dairy industry with his father near Collins and continued farming most of his life.

Shortly after Don's return to Missouri, he first saw the love of his life, Berniece Neuenschwander, at a parade where, along with his sister, she was a candidate for dairy queen. He immediately told his mother he would marry this young lady. After a two-year courtship they wed on June 16, 1957, enjoying 60 years of marriage. From this union came five children: Bill, Karla, Karol, Andy, and Kristy.

Dearly loving his family, Don spent many devoted hours with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, which were the lights of his life. Apart from his family, riding horses proved one of his favorite activities. Don loved taking care of and watching animals of all shapes, sizes, kinds, and varieties. He was also a huge fan of music, especially country and western, following the artists that topped the charts for decades. Also finding great pleasure in books, he spent many hours reading his favorite stories and from the Bible. Don's faith was important to him throughout his life. He remained a devoted member of the Church of Christ in Collins until he was welcomed into salvation and glory. He will be deeply missed by all of his family and friends.

Don was preceded in death by his parents: Ray Melvin and Blanche Fern (Chapman) Martin.

He is survived by his wife, Berniece Martin; five children: Bill Leiber (Barb), Karla Meredith (James), Karol Van Horn (Dallas), Andy Martin (Michelle), and Kristy Stewart (Doug); three sisters: Helen Kidd, Marjorie Routh, Betty Dunning (Harvey); 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren; along with many other relatives and friends.