BIG PRAIRIE Raymond "Abe" Martin, 72, of 13450 County County Road 280 died Monday evening, Aug. 18, 1997, in Joel Pomerene Hospital in Millersburg [OH] after an eight-month illness.

Mr. Martin was born February 11, 1925 in Holmes County, the son of Harley and Ruth (Harris) Martin. He lived in the Nashville area all of his life and was a 1944 graduate of Nashville High School.

He was a US Army veteran veteran of WWII, serving in the 101st Airborne Division. He was a 42-year employee of The Flxible Company retiring in 1988. He served many terms as Knox Township Trustee and was a coach of the Nashville Little League, Farm Team and Girls Softball Teams. He was a member of Nashville United Methodist Church and Hanover Lodge 115 F&AM. He enjoyed woodworking and making gifts for friends and family.

Surviving are his wife, Jeannine (Hay) Martin, whom he married August 29, 1951; 1 daughter & son-in-law, Pamela and Glen McVay of Killbuck; 2 sons, Scott Martin of Nashville, and Randolph Martin, Big Prairie; 2 grandsons and 2 sisters, Wanda Armstrong, Millersburg; and Hazel Storch, Mansfield.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers, Ralph & Barney Martin; 1 sister, Florence Walkerow.

Funeral services will be held Friday, August 22, at 2:00 p.m. at Byerly-Lindsey Funeral Home, Loudonville, with Pastor Thomas Wallace officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Nashville Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 6-9 p.m. in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to: County Road Home Care, 981 Wooster Rd., Millersburg, OH 44654; Nashville United United Methodist Building Fund, Nashville, OH 44661; or Nashville Fire Dept., PO Box 370, Nashville, OH 44661.

[News-Journal, Mansfield, OH, 20 Aug 1997, Wed, Page 8]