Beech Tree News Network

Elmo Lincoln Martin, 103 years old, passed away August 6, 2024 at the Morgantown Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Elmo was born on October 10, 1920 to the late James Otis Martin, Sr. and Pernie Oller Martin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Louise Benson Martin, a brother, James “Tommy” Otis Martin, Jr., sisters, Irene Constant and Bonnie Flener and his son, James David Martin.

Around 1935, Elmo and Tommy were distributing for a local producer, and that was when Elmo discovered that being in sales was an easy way to earn money. In 1938, Elmo left home and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. Some of the projects he worked on were at Mammoth Cave. When the war broke out, Elmo was working as a lathe operator in Louisville.

He went to see his sister, Bonnie, in Battle Creek, Michigan. There he met Ruth Louise Benson, and they were married in Oklahoma.

Elmo was drafted into the Army on November 30, 1942. He was inducted into the 99th Infantry’s stubborn resistance that denied the German’s access to vital roads that disrupted their plans and eventually lead to the collapse of the German offense.

After the war, Elmo moved his family to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and started working for the railroad, and then moved on to Dohler and Jarvis, an automotive supplier. Eventually, Elmo moved back into sales and continued that line of work until he retired at the age of 88 when he begin writing his book, Butler County Memories.

Elmo and Ruth raised four children: Sharon Jean Palmer (Armand Tessier), Linda Sue Ortiz, the late, James David Martin and Richard Allen Martin (Kathleen). Several grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews also survive. Sadly, Ruth passed away on May 17, 2006. Elmo moved back to the beloved Kentucky at age 98, coming back to Bowling Green was coming home to his roots.

Funeral services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 10 at Johnson Vaughn Phelps Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, prior to the service. The family will continue to receive visitors after the service until 2:30 p.m. at Johnson Vaughn Phelps Funeral Home.