Stephen L.. Martin

Stephen L. Martin, formerly of Rushville, IN passed away peacefully at his home in Sarasota, FL on May 6, 2023.  He lived an honest and ornery life for 74 years (which is not quite long enough, if you ask his loved ones).

Steve was born in Rushville on March 27, 1949 to Franklin C. and Mary E. (Dusing) Martin.  He was the youngest of five children, and to hear him tell it, he and the next youngest sibling - his sister Becky - were “Mom’s favorites!”  Steve was preceded in death by his parents and two siblings:  Frank Martin of Coatesville, IN and Patty (Martin) Temple (and brother-in-law Bob) of Rushville.  Left to remember their little brother are sisters Ginny (Martin) Miller of Crawfordsville, IN and Becky (Martin) Antonelli (and brother-in-law Doug) of Mt. Zion, IL.  

Steve’s proudest achievements in life were his kids and grandkids.  He was the dad everyone wishes for to son Stephen J. Martin of Bradenton, FL and daughter Jennifer A. Martin of Portland, OR, and he loved his daughter-in-law Lori (Webster) Martin like one of his own.  Steve was called many things by many people over the course of his lifetime, but his favorite - without a doubt - was Poppy.  The littles (well, almost all of them were taller than Steve at the end!) who will forever cherish the memories of their Poppy are grandsons Cam and Eli and granddaughter Reese, all of Bradenton, FL.  Steve’s roles as Best Dad Ever and Best Poppy Ever were carried out with unconditional love, never-ending patience, and immense pride. 

Steve graduated from Rushville High School in 1967, and Indiana Barber College in 1969.  His career as Martin Scissorhands was short-lived (by choice!), and he went on to wear various hats at Perfect Circle/Dana, Mr. Freshie, Lingle Real Estate, and Trane, where he retired after many years of pranks.  He made wonderful friends in each stage of his existence, but of special note were Trane buddies Henry Downs and Dana Brown, who together with Steve formed a veritable 3 Musketeers of sorts that could be found spinning tall tales all around Rush County and Lake Santee.  

Steve’s life was forever enriched by the close friendships of lifelong pals Joe Pavey and Jerry Raike, and he leaves behind a whole slew of cousins, nieces, and nephews whom he loved dearly and was always rooting for.  He will be remembered for his humor, his aforementioned orneriness, his stubborn streaks (just ask former wife Jodeen, who will jokingly agree!), and his willingness to help out absolutely anyone, for any reason, in a pinch.  As a “good Catholic boy” all his life, he routinely acknowledged just how blessed he was.  Those of us who were lucky to know him, though, know that we are the truly blessed ones.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, July 7, 2023 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rushville.  Burial in Calvary Cemetery will immediately follow.  A visitation (party?) to celebrate Steve will be held at the K of C in Rushville after the burial, beginning around 2:00 PM.  We hope you’ll join us to share your memories and stories of our Steve Martin, that wild and crazy guy.  And as he would always say…be careful!

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