Mr. Martens, retired business man, died unexpectedly of a heart attack April 21 while visiting at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Herb Thomas in Elyria, Ohio.

Mr. Martens was in the mercantile business here with his brother, Henry, for 28 years, and then associated with his brother, Peter A. in the livestock business until about five years ago.

He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, and was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. He served as secretary-treasurer of the church for 18 years and secretary of the Aid Association for Lutherans for 28 years. He was a member of the Manning Board of Education for a number of years.

Mr. Martens was born March 15, 1878, in Washington Township, Carroll County, son of Detlef and Caroline (Ehlers) Martens. His boyhood was spent on the farm.

On August 11, 1905, he married Minnie Schultz at Schleswig.

Besides his wife, he is survived by five children: Bernhard A. Martens, Dearborn, Michigan; Alvin W. Martens, Manning; Mrs. Edward (Marcella) Knaack, Manning; Mrs. Harold (Ethel) Goedert, San Mateo, California; Mrs. Herbert (Marjorie) Thomas, Elyria, Ohio; eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

WILLIAM J. MARTENS
Funeral services for William J. Martens, 77, were held Monday afternoon at Zion Lutheran Church, with Pastors John M. Ansorge and George B. Eschenbacher officiating. Music was by a ladies' quartet, with Mrs. August Ross as accompanist.

Burial was in the Manning Cemetery. Pallbearers were Johannes Bunz, Louie Ehlers, Herman Frahm, Emil Kuhn, Lloyd Rix, and Lester Rowedder.

Mr. Martens, retired business man, died unexpectedly of a heart attack April 21 while visiting at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Herb Thomas, in Elyria, Ohio.

Mr. Martens was in the mercantile business here with his brother, Henry, for 28 years, and then associated with his brother, Peter A. in the livestock business until about five years ago.

He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, and was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. He served as secretary-treasurer of the church for 18 years and secretary of the Aid Association for Lutherans for 28 years. He was a member of the Manning Board of Education for a number of years.

Mr. Martens was born March 15, 1878, in Washington Township, Carroll County, son of Detlef, and Caroline (Ehlers) Martens. His boyhood was spent on the farm.

On August 1, 1905, he married Minnie Schultz at Schleswig.

Besides his wife he is survived by five children: Bernhard A. Martens, Dearborn, Michigan; Alvin W. Martens, Manning; Mrs. Edward (Marcella) Knaack, Manning; Mrs. Harold (Ethel) Goedert, San Mateo, California; Mrs. Herbert (Marjorie) Thomas, Elyria, Ohio; eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

He also leaves four brothers, John, Detlef, Henry, and Peter A. Martens, and a sister, Miss Annina Martens, of Manning.

One sister, Mrs. William Witt, preceded him in death.