Clair Martin

Clair E. Martin, 88 of Shippensburg, departed this life on the evening of Friday, October 29, 2021.

He was born on February 2, 1933, in Chambersburg, a son of the late Paul C. and Verda Lehman Martin. Clair married Peggy L. Mentzer on April 19, 1953. She preceded him in death on February 23, 2018.

Clair was a truck driver for most of his career, working at the former Richards Textiles, Shippensburg University, and Gibble’s Potato Chips. He was a member of the Cedar Street Mennonite Church, where he also taught Sunday School, as well as the Cumberland Valley Woodcarvers Club.

In his free time, Clair spent a lot of time reading his Bible. He was strong in his faith, had a great love for God, and cared greatly for the wellbeing of others souls. Clair loved the outdoors as a huge fisherman his entire life, and as a hunter more so in his younger years. He enjoyed getting together with his large family and playing card games and marbles. And Clair was always a great story teller, always ready with an interesting or funny story about his experiences throughout his life.

He is survived by eleven children, Deborah Rotz of Shippensburg, Sheila (Melvin) Lehman of Guys Mills, Stephen Martin of Shippensburg, Denise (Richard) Frey of Wisconsin, Gary (Jess) Martin of Carlisle, Lisa (Lamar) Diller of Chambersburg, Andrew (Karen) Martin of Texas, Wade (Lara) Martin of Chambersburg, Chris (Penny) Martin of Shippensburg, Adam (Evie) Martin of Shippensburg, and Wesley (Jenna) Martin of Chambersburg; thirty-two grandchildren; sixty-nine great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and his wife of sixty-five years, Peggy, he was preceded in death by his brother, Ray Martin; his sister, Carol Ougburn; a son-in-law, Terry Rotz, and a daughter-in-law, Sandy Martin.

Clair’s funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, November 4, 2021, at the Rowe Mennonite Church, Shippensburg. Ministers John Horst and Allen Lehman will officiate. Interment will follow in the adjoining church cemetery. There will be no public viewing. A time of visitation will be held concurrently with a meal following the conclusion of the services on Thursday morning at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.