George Irving Martin

George I. Martin, age 79, of Battle Creek went home to be with his Lord and Savior Saturday afternoon, June 19, 2021, in the presence of his new bride and loving daughter, after a very short battle with cancer.

He was born in Milford, Michigan on January 2, 1942, the son of Harold and Mildred Martin. He graduated from Milford High and served in the United States Air Force. Through the years, he held various jobs; he worked at Clark Equipment, then retired from Kellogg's. George married Jeanette Martin on April 9, 1964 and was married for 54 years. She preceded him in death on November 29, 2018.

God blessed George with a new love, and he married his new bride, June Martin, on January 2, 2021. She survives.

George is survived by his two daughters, Dawn Rall and Debra Mathews, both of Battle Creek. He was like a father to his three grandsons, Brandon Martin, Steven Martin and Gregory Martin; grandchildren, Darren Mathews, Lindsey Waidelich, Shelly Martin and Elyzabeth Martin, along with numerous great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his new extended family, the Eberhards, whom he loved, and they loved and accepted him as well.

George loved his family. He enjoyed photography, and he was "the man behind the camera." He enjoyed biking and walking miles and miles with his four-legged companion, Zeuss. George ran several marathons. He was an avid gun supporter, he shot proficiently in competitions, he taught his grandsons to shoot at an early age and his daughter later in life. He even made his own bullets.

George was always learning and continuing his education. It seemed like there was nothing George didn't know a little something about and nothing he couldn't do or fix. He once built a TV from scratch.

George loved reading his Bible and doing bible studies with his new bride. He loved attending his men's group at his church, First Baptist of Bellevue. He loved his church family, his pastor, and most of all, he loved God.

Funeral services to celebrate George's life will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 26th, 2021 at the Bellevue First Baptist Church. Visitation will be Friday, June 25th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Interment with full military honors will be 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 30th at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Donations may be made in George's honor to Oaklawn Hospice Care or a church of your choice. Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages and memories of George may be shared at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.