Joan Elizabeth “Jo” Martin, 88, of Gladstone, passed away peacefully at Mill Creek Memory Care in Marquette on May 19, 2017.  She was born to Claude and Ruth Sadler on April 23rd, 1929 in Stockbridge, MI and graduated from Marion High School in Marion, MI.  She married Lawrence “Lornie” Martin on July 28th, 1948 and the couple moved to Delta County in 1950 when her husband accepted a position at U.P. Concrete Pipe Company.  Together they raised three daughters while Joan worked as a frugal and creative homemaker.  She was an accomplished seamstress who sewed practical clothing for her family as well as many custom gowns for her girls’ high school dances, and she enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, and numerous artistic pursuits. A member of the Memorial United Methodist Church, Joan taught Sunday school and spent countless hours working in the church kitchen.  Her famous gingerbread boys were always a sell-out at the Christmas Bazaar.  Among the many organizations to which she volunteered her time are the Childs’ Welfare Club, League of Women Voters, 4-H, and the Coast Guard Auxiliary. The family also spent many happy times camping, snowmobiling and boating around the U.P., most often in the company of dear friends, Donna and the late Marvin Dawson and their children. 

In the late 1970s and 80s, Joan served on the Gladstone City Commission, and was elected to two terms as mayor.  With her children grown, and following Lawrence’s death, she embarked on a career in real estate and opened American Dream Realty with Lois Boydston in 1989. She also took up world traveling and visited Israel, China, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji.  In her retirement years, Joan enjoyed taking watercolor classes and restoring the Gladstone home she purchased in 1990.  She would be proud to know that her grandson, Joe Skellenger, his wife Erica and her great grandson Oscar are now calling her beloved dwelling “home,” too. 

She is survived by three daughters, Beverly (Dan) Farr and Ruthann (John) Skellenger, both of Brampton, and Mary (Erich Ottem) Martin of Marquette; one stepson, Donald (Lona) Marsh of Crystal River, FL; her sister, Karen (James) Lawler of Rochester, MI; and brother, Michael Sadler of Las Vegas, NV; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. 

Along with her parents and husband, one brother, Thomas Sadler, and one stepson, John Marsh, preceded Joan in death. 

A Celebration of Life for Joan E. Martin will take place at 5:00 p.m. on July 5th, 2017 in the front yard of her home at 1000 Lake Shore Drive in Gladstone, to be officiated by Reverend Caroline Hart.  A reception at the Gladstone Yacht Club will follow.  In the event of inclement weather, the Celebration of Life will be held at the GYC prior to the reception.  Joan will rest with her husband, Lawrence, in Fernwood Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the William Bonifas Fine Arts Center or the Delta County Animal Shelter. 

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