Francis Austin Martin
Francis Austin Martin
Francis Austin Martin
December 8, 1917 – November 6, 2014
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 96
Francis Martin, 96, of Oskaloosa passed away Thursday, November 6, 2014, at the MHP Hospice Services Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Francis Austin Martin, son of Edward Martin and Margaret Sweeney Martin, was born, December 8, 1917, in Sutherland, Nebraska.
Francis was a 1935 graduate of Clark High School, after which he began his farming career with his father. In 1940, Francis moved to the Belle Plaine, Iowa area where he continued to farm. Francis began working for Funk Seed Corn in 1955, in addition to farming. In 1969, Francis moved to Oskaloosa. During his retirement, Francis worked for Wal-Mart and St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Francis married Virginia H. Hart, September 2, 1982, in Oskaloosa. She passed away June 5, 1990. He married Joan Netz Vroegh, April 23, 1994, in Oskaloosa.
Francis has been a faithful member and servant of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church since moving to Oskaloosa. In 1990 Francis learned how to make rosaries from his son, Linzy.
Francis grew plants in his garden named “Job’s Tears”; he dried the seeds from this plant to use as the rosary beads. Each rosary took about 8 hours to complete and he had each recipient’s name engraved on the back of the crucifix. For twelve years, Francis made a rosary for every girl and boy who received their first communion at St. Mary’s. In addition to the first communion rosaries, Francis made and gave away well over 600 rosaries.
Francis’ family includes his wife, Joan Martin of Oskaloosa; three sons: Linzy (& Hazel) Martin of Strawberry Point, Iowa, Pat (& Mary) Martin of Clive, Iowa and Tom Martin of Texas; a daughter, Teri (& Rick) Crombaugh of Marengo, Iowa; four step-sons: James (& Peggy) Hoyt of Oskaloosa, Fred (& Millie) Vroegh of Eldon, Iowa, Dale (& Vicki) Vroegh of Eddyville, Iowa and Bruce (& Kellie) Vroegh of Cedar, Iowa; a step-daughter, Nancine Vroegh of Belle Plaine, Iowa; 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews; and special friends, Frank (& Myrta) Fairchild of Eddyville, Iowa.
In addition to his parents and his wife Virginia, Francis was preceded in death by four brothers: Alfred, Dan and George Martin, and infant brother, Joseph Martin; and two sisters: Mary Cerny and Catherine Schott.
Mass of the Christian Burial for Francis will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, November 10, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Rev. Jeffry Belger officiating.
Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Oskaloosa.
Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., Sunday at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will be present from 2-4 p.m. with a Rosary to begin at 4 p.m.
Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or MHP Hospice Serenity House.
