Herbert L. Martin, age 99 of Topeka, passed away October 16, 2016.

He was born June 11, 1917 at Elgin (formerly Blaney) South Carolina, the son of Thomas Sumpter Martin and his wife Marie Hinson Martin.

Mr. Martin’s early education was achieved in North and South Carolina then Washington D.C. He was called into the military several months prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor that resulted in the declaration of war on December 8, 1941.

Mr. Martin was married August 16, 1942 to Blondena Mae Hoover, who passed away November 3, 2000. They had six children, five sons - Herbert Jr. of Lawrence, Ronald (deceased), Scott (Tami) and Robert of Topeka, Richard (Carla) of Meriden and one daughter, Vicky (Jim) Gorrell of Topeka. There are ten grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

He pursued a military career in the Army Air Corps and the US Air Force, serving with the 96th Bomb Group (8th Air Force) in Europe during World War II. In 1948 he attended Officer’s Candidate school. He served proudly until his retirement at Forbes Air Force Base (Topeka) in November 1971 after 30 years. He was one of the last individuals in the Air Force to achieve the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4.

After retirement from the military, Mr. Martin worked eleven years for the Shawnee County Health department. He was a member of Crestview United Methodist Church and the city retirees group, and served on the board of the Topeka Daycare Association.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at Crestview United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday evening.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Topeka Daycare Association, K.T.W.U., or Crestview United Methodist Church.

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