Berniece E. Martin

Berniece E. Martin, 96, Walker, passed away at her home on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010. She was born 4 1/2 miles north of Walker, in the house built by her father, on Aug. 26, 1914, to Robert L. Leedy and Nellie Standage Leedy. She married Dwight E. Martin at the United Methodist Church in Nevada on June 28, 1936. He preceded her in death on July 18, 1977.

Berniece graduated from Walker High School and later attended Cottey College in Nevada. Berniece and her husband operated the Martin General Store in Walker for 22 years, which supplied groceries and farm supplies for area residents. Berniece also served as the Walker Mayor from 1966-1980, and was honored by the city of Walker in 1992 by dedicating the Community Building as the Berniece E. Martin Community Building.

Berniece was a member of the Soroptimist Club of Nevada, Order of the Eastern Star and past District Deputy in 1957, Rebekah Lodge, Pioneers Club, and Helping Hands. She was also involved in a number of committees that were instrumental in the formation of: the Hot Lunch Program for Walker Schools, Walker Band Parents Club, the Vernon County Health Department, the Vernon County Ambulance Service, and the Walker Girl Scouts Program. Berniece was a longtime member of the Walker Christian Church who taught Sunday school for many years and organized fund-raisers for the church.

Survivors include two sons, Phillip Martin and Allan Martin and his wife, Diane, all of Walker; three grandchildren, Rochelle Borgaila and her husband, Dan, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Rylan Martin of Oak Park, Ill., and Matthew Martin and his fiancé, Meghan, of Council Bluffs, Iowa; three great-grandchildren, Chloie, Jacob Zane and Isabella; and numerous nieces and nephews. Berniece was the youngest of 10 children who preceeded her in death.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 1, at Green Mound Cemetery near Harwood, under the direction of Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada. Friends may call from now until 1 p.m., Friday at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made in her memory to the City of Walker Park Fund c/o Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington, Nevada.

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