Ralph Martens

Funeral Services at First United Methodist Church in Walters, Saturday, April 20 at 2:00 p.m., Rev. Dan Eppler and Rev. Steve Harshaw officiating. Ralph Milo Martens was born to Henry John and Luella Marie (Velau) Martens on August 15, 1921 at Sioux Falls, SD and departed this life in Lawton, OK on April 17, 2013 at the age of 91 years, 8 months and 2 days. Ralph graduated from high school at Hastings in 1940 and went on to graduate from Cameron A&M College. He then proudly served his country during WWII in the Army Air Corps, entering into the service at Sheppard Field on August 1, 1942. Ralph was a Staff Sergeant serving as an Airplane and Engine Mechanic. He rebuilt and repaired B-17s and later B24s after the bombing missions. He served in several locations in northern Europe and Italy and was very involved in the bombing mission in the North Africa Campaign. He received the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with two Bronze Stars and also received a Silver Star. He married Shirley Bizzell on July 12, 1953 at Temple, OK. Ralph and Shirley spent a wonderful 60 years together making their homes at Hastings and Walters. Ralph served as a rural mail carrier for 44 years beginning at Hastings and ending his career at Temple, OK. He was a member of the Walters United Methodist Church. His greatest joy in life besides his wife and children was checking his cattle, fishing and bowling twice a week right up to his death. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Eugene Wesley Martens; and a son-in-law, Richard Scott. Survivors include his wife, Shirley, of the home; 2 children, Ernie Martens and wife Judy of Sallisaw, OK and Tammy Hartman and husband Robert of Walters; grandchildren Holly and George Bormann of Sallisaw, Tucker and Erika Martens of Sallisaw, Brian and Tiffany Scott of Burleson, TX, Dana and Jason Redden of Norman, OK; 9 great grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.