J. Allen Martin

J. Allen Martin, 92, a resident of the Coffman Nursing Home for the past several months and formerly of Hagerstown, Md. died Thursday March 20, 2008 in the nursing home.

Born Dec. 26, 1915 in Washington County, Maryland, he was the son of the late J. Harry and Anna (Eshleman) Martin.

He was employed with the Washington County Board Of Education as one of their television teachers and also served the Board Of Education for two years in Nigeria. His last employment was being the director of the Planetarium.

Mr. Martin was a graduate of Goshen College, received his masters degree from Western Maryland College and took post graduate classes at the University Of Maryland.

Mr. Martin was a member of the Cedar Grove Mennonite Church near Greencastle where he served as an elder, Sunday School teacher and helped with the youth in the Young Peoples Literary Society. He was a member of the Maugansville Ruritan Club where he served as secretary for a number of years. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.

He also was a member of the Mennonite Men's Gospel team which sang on local radio stations. He enjoyed astronomy, hiking and photography.

He and his wife, Ida Jo (Witmer) Martin were married Aug. 13, 1939 in Cedar Grove Mennonite Church.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Lynette Frederick of Gaithersburg, Md. and Jeannie Martin of Hagerstown, Md.; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Wilbur Martin, and a sister, Edna Shank.

A memorial service was held the afternoon of Tuesday, March 25 at Cedar Grove Mennonite Church, Greencastle, with Pastor Stephen Fretz officiating.

Burial was in the adjoining church cemetery at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in his memory to the building fund of Cedar Grove Mennonite Church 13343 Williamsport Pike Greencastle, Pa. 17225.

Arrangements were handled by the Harold M. Zimmerman And Son Funeral Home of Greencastle.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.zimmermanfh. com