Charles Martin

Charles "Charlie" Martin, 88, of Silver Lake, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, February 10, 2017. He was born December 11, 1928, on a farm in Willard, KS, one of ten children of Henry Martin and Edith Burns. He attended Rossville High School. Charlie worked on the family farm and retired from Goodyear after 37 years. He was a navy veteran, a member of the American Legion and the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, and enjoyed many outdoor activities. In the early days he coached the girls softball teams, enjoyed fishing, camping and skiing at the lakes. He so enjoyed being with his family, playing cards, and watching grandkids sports. On August 30, 1951 Charlie married Mary Krasny in Topeka. She survives of the home. Other survivors include his sister, Betty Gibson; his four "girls", Peggy (Joe) Pistora, Karen (Terry) Hay, Diane (Ron) Martinek and Nancy (Bob) Pfannenstiel; ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. He was a devoted husband and father, and excelled at being a grandfather. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday February 13, 2017 at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Prairie Home Cemetery, Topeka. A visitation will be held at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, 708 Citizen Cir, Rossville, from 3:00 until 6:00 P.M. Sunday, February 12, 2017. Memorial contributions may be made to the Silver Lake Senior Center or Midland Hospice and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, Kansas 66536.