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Martin, Laurence Lincoln (Larry)
Laurence Lincoln (Larry) Martin, 90, of Marion, died at home surrounded by his family Sunday, May 12, 2013, after a brief battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 16, at First United Methodist Church in Marion with Pastor Keith Nester presiding. Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Murdoch Funeral Home in Marion.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Marjory; children, Deborah Martin, Cynthia Martin, Laura Mattison and Reed Martin (Christa) all of Marion; five grandchildren, Katherine Haderthauer (Jeff), Tyler Mattison and Andrew Martin of Marion, Elise Schmidt (Steve) of Oconomowoc, Wis. and Claire Mattison (William Spakowski III) of Chicago; and a great-granddaughter, Elin Haderthauer, of Marion.
His parents and a brother, William Reed, preceded him in death.
Laurence was born Feb. 12, 1923, in Kenwood, Iowa, to Laurence and Marian Reed Martin. He graduated from Marion High School in1941 and attended the University of Iowa before enlisting in the army. From 1943 to 1946, Laurence served in the 71st Division in France, Germany and Austria, the unit which fired the final shot of World War II and liberated Gunskirchen-Lager, one of Hitler's concentration camps. He was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant and was an active member of the 71st Division Association, serving as its president for two years.
Laurence and Marjory Ostrander were married in Marion on Dec. 20, 1947, and he was employed in retail sales and real estate. As a member of the First United Methodist Church since 1948, Laurence served on the official board and taught Sunday school. Laurence also served on the Marion City Council for eight years in the 1960s and 1970s and on the Marion Library Board for four years.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be addressed to First United Methodist Church in Marion or the Marion Independent School Foundation.
The family would like to thank the staffs at Summit Pointe and Unity Point Hospice for their care and support during Laurence's illness.
Please sign the online guest book for Laurence at under obituaries.
Published in The Gazette May 14, 2013.
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