Vernon James Martin

Vernon James Martin, age 71, of Arapahoe, Nebraska, passed away on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, at Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Cambridge, Nebraska. He was born on February 7, 1944, in McCook, Nebraska to James V. and Mary (Pitner) Martin. Vernon grew up on the family farm at Wilsonville, Nebraska. He attended school at Wilsonville High School and graduated with the Class of 1962. He furthered his education by attending McCook Community College and graduating in 1964 and then attended 1 year at University of Nebraska at Lincoln before returning to the family farm because of his father’s death. On September 20, 1969 he married Mary E. Bassford at St. John’s Catholic Church in Cambridge. While farming, he also worked for Cambridge Coop in Wilsonville & Cambridge. They moved to Arapahoe, Nebraska in 1972 while Vernon worked for Arapahoe Coop and then later worked as station manager at Holdrege Coop in Holdrege, Nebraska. After his retirement, he would then go to work for Arapahoe Telephone Company in Arapahoe, Nebraska until retiring in 2010. He also worked part-time mowing for the City of Arapahoe. He enjoyed volunteering at the Crystal Theatre in Arapahoe, helping with the Arapahoe Show & Shine, and serving on the Arapahoe Cemetery Board. He was a member of the St. Germanus Catholic Church of Arapahoe, Golden Rod Car club, Knights of Columbus, and a 40 year member of the Arapahoe Fire Department. Vern was preceded in death by his parents & brother Harold Martin. He is survived by his wife Mary Martin of Arapahoe, Nebraska Sons: Shane & wife Ann Martin of Seward, Nebraska Travis & wife Jodi Martin of Omaha, Nebraska Grandchildren: Ashley, Ayden, Trey, Macy, & Kate Sister-in-law; Gloria Martin of California And numerous nieces and nephews Condolences or personal reflections may be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com. Viewing and visitation will be Friday, November 20, 2015, from 10 am to 5 pm at Wenburg Funeral Home in Arapahoe, Nebraska and prior to the service at the Church. A Rosary service will be held Friday at 7 pm at St. Germanus Catholic Church in Arapahoe, Nebraska. Funeral Mass will be offered on Saturday, November 21, 2015, at 10 am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Cambridge, Nebraska with Fr. Mark Pfeiffer officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery, Cambridge, Nebraska. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Arapahoe Fire Department, St. Germanus Catholic Church, Crystal Theatre, or Arapahoe Show & Shine. Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.