Bernie E. Martin
October 15th, 1930 - April 28th, 2026
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Bernie's Obituary
Bernie E. Martin, 95, of St. Joseph, passed away, Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph.
A Celebration of Life Graveside Service and burial will be held 2PM Friday, May 1, 2026 at Spring Run Cemetery in Scottdale with Rev. Robert Confer officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by Stevensville American Legion Post #568. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bernie’s name may be made to First Church of God Prayer Shawls or Missions. Those wishing to sign Bernie’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Bernie was born October 15, 1930 in Bud, West Virginia and adopted by John & Vida Martin. After moving to St. Joseph, he graduated from St. Joseph High School, Class of 1950. Bernie joined the United States Army and served his country during the Korean War. In 1954, Bernie gained employment with Michigan Bell Telephone in Benton Harbor, where he spent the next thirty-eight years, retiring in 1992. On November 26, 1955, he married the former Charlotte Arfa in Benton Harbor. Bernie was a simple, humble & quiet man. In his free time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, and his favorite, golfing every chance he got. He enjoyed the time in the golf league at Hampshire Country Club in Dowagiac. Bernie was a member of the Michigan Bell Pioneers. Bernie also enjoyed traveling the United States visiting family & friends. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Bernie is survived by his wife Char; his children-Alan (Jennie) Shan-Martin of Meadowlakes, TX, Linda Martin of Fort Worth, TX, Karen Martin of Stevensville; four grandchildren-Peter Martin, Jaclyn (Andrew) Martin-Lee, Rebecca Smith, Sheree (Alec) Prestifilippo; two great-grandchildren-Bryson Smith & Sophia Tamez; and numerous nieces & nephews. Bernie was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings-Bessie Duscha, Jack Lester, Ruby Ferguson, Charlotte Peppel, Lonnie Lester & Carl Lester.
A Celebration of Life Graveside Service and burial will be held 2PM Friday, May 1, 2026 at Spring Run Cemetery in Scottdale with Rev. Robert Confer officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by Stevensville American Legion Post #568. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bernie’s name may be made to First Church of God Prayer Shawls or Missions. Those wishing to sign Bernie’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Bernie was born October 15, 1930 in Bud, West Virginia and adopted by John & Vida Martin. After moving to St. Joseph, he graduated from St. Joseph High School, Class of 1950. Bernie joined the United States Army and served his country during the Korean War. In 1954, Bernie gained employment with Michigan Bell Telephone in Benton Harbor, where he spent the next thirty-eight years, retiring in 1992. On November 26, 1955, he married the former Charlotte Arfa in Benton Harbor. Bernie was a simple, humble & quiet man. In his free time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, and his favorite, golfing every chance he got. He enjoyed the time in the golf league at Hampshire Country Club in Dowagiac. Bernie was a member of the Michigan Bell Pioneers. Bernie also enjoyed traveling the United States visiting family & friends. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Bernie is survived by his wife Char; his children-Alan (Jennie) Shan-Martin of Meadowlakes, TX, Linda Martin of Fort Worth, TX, Karen Martin of Stevensville; four grandchildren-Peter Martin, Jaclyn (Andrew) Martin-Lee, Rebecca Smith, Sheree (Alec) Prestifilippo; two great-grandchildren-Bryson Smith & Sophia Tamez; and numerous nieces & nephews. Bernie was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings-Bessie Duscha, Jack Lester, Ruby Ferguson, Charlotte Peppel, Lonnie Lester & Carl Lester.
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