Ernest D. Martin

COLUMBIANA - Ernest D. Martin, faithful pastor of Midway Mennonite Church from 1951 to 1989, went to be with the Lord on Friday, February 19, 2021, at the age of 96.

Son of Daniel C. and Mamie (Yoder) Martin, Ernest married Rosetta M. Blosser on August 28, 1949.  He was preceded in death by Rosetta and one grandson Kurt Martin.

He leaves one foster sister Leona (Darrel) Diener; three children Susan (Alan Beuscher), Timothy (Nancy) Martin, and Nathan (Barb) Martin; seven grandchildren Jesse (Jessica) Martin, Brian (Kate) Martin, Jeffrey (Karin) Martin, Rachel (Rich) Brinke, Julie (David) Rust, Katie (Jordan) Brown and Kyle (Sarah) Martin; and several great grandchildren.  Ernest was well known beyond his local church as an author and church conference leader. He wrote many Bible study materials including a Believers Church Commentary on Colossians & Philemon, and most recently a guide “Toward a Biblical Theology of Marriage.” He helped his denomination open up new opportunities for women in ministry; he also promoted vital pastor peer support groups for many younger colleagues in ministry. 

Ernest loved to sing, arrange and direct 4-part harmony hymns. He taught Sunday School, led Bible Studies in two local retirement/nursing homes and worked on the family farm with his son Nathan till the age of 95. He and Rosetta gave hundreds of volunteer hours to the Ten Thousand Villages Self-Help Craft Store. Ernest was an accomplished woodworker, gardener and mechanic, constantly challenging himself to learn new skills in his workshop, on the computer and in the kitchen. He was much admired and respected by family, friends and church members as one who could make and/or fix most anything, always willing to help out wherever he was needed. The headstone of Ernest and Rosetta Martin provides a fitting summary of their lives, “Grateful Servants of Christ and the Church.”

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service (with social distancing) will be held at Midway Mennonite Church on Saturday, May 8th, 11am, led by Pastor Matthew Peterson. A recording of the service will be posted the following week on the Midway Mennonite Church YouTube Channel with a link on the church Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Midway Mennonite Church, 13376 Columbiana-Canfield Road, Columbiana, OH 44408.

Family and friends are invited to visit www.seederly-mongandbeck.com to sign the guestbook or send private condolences.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ernest D. Martin, please visit our floral store.