Cleason Martin of Mine Centre, Ont., passed away peacefully and went to be with the Lord on June 9, 2022, at home, with family by his side, at the age of 82 years, five months, and 26 days after a battle with cancer. He was born on December 14, 1939, to Edwin and Annie (Martin) Martin near Waterloo, Ont., as a triplet along with two stillborn sisters.
In his youth, he committed his life to Christ and was baptized upon the confession of his faith. On September 14, 1961, he was united in marriage to Mary Weber. They enjoyed over 58 years together. He will be greatly missed by his seven children: Gary and Erma, Mine Centre; Diane and Leon Hursh, Ephrata, Pa.; Joyce and David Plett, Mine Centre; Nancy, Fort Frances, Ont.; Dwayne and Marlene, Cove, Ore.; Darrell and Sharon, Mine Centre; Mary Beth and James Krahn, Cove; 34 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by in-laws: Henry and Agnes Weber, Heidelberg, Ont.; Abner and Edna Weber, St. Jacobs, Ont.; Minerva Kraemer, Wallenstein, Ont.; Martha and Edward Reist, Listowel, Ont.; Alice Martin, Westmeath, Ont.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Mary; his parents; his infant brother Melvin; his sister Eileen (Martin) Brubacher, her husband Ivan; in-laws James Weber and his wife Lorene; Irvin Kraemer, Merlyn Martin; and two infant grandchildren.
In 1974 he was ordained minister to help begin a church
at Mine Centre where they lived until 2000. From 2000 to 2020 they lived at Stratton, Ont., after which he moved closer to family at Mine Centre.
He was ordained bishop in 1991 and served the Lord faithfully in that calling. From 1993 to 2017 he made many trips to India to serve the church there. He was a faithful member of the Woodside Mennonite Church until the time of his death. He will be fondly remembered by his family and the church for his caring heart and interest in others. He had a burden for lost souls and a concern that his family and the church would be faithful.
A viewing will be held on June 16, 2022, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pineview Mennonite Church, Barwick, Ont. The funeral service will be held on June 17, 2022, at 10 a.m. at the Emo-LaVallee Community Centre with the interment following at the Pineview Mennonite Church Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Northridge Funeral Home, Emo, Ontario.
