Olen Martin

Olen L. Martin

Olen Lyle Martin 87, of Denison, Iowa, formerly of Kirksville passed away Sunday, December 1, 2013, at Eventid Lutheran Home in Denison, IA

Olen was born on May 4, 1926 in Winigan, MO, the son of Clinton Erastus and Sarah Mae (Reed) Martin. On July 2, 1949 in Kirksville, MO, Olen was united in marriage to Irma Catherine Hoerrmann, who preceded him in death.

Also preceding him in death were his parents; three brothers, Herman, Verlin and Clinton Martin and one sister, Velma (Martin) Ware.

Olen is survived by one daughter, Catherine J. Namanny and husband, Bruce of Schleswig, IA; one grandson, Kenneth M. Namanny of Schleswig, IA; one step-granddaughter, Morgan Namanny Martin and husband, Derek of Shenandoah, IA; one step-great-grandson, Turner Martin; three sisters-in-law, Wineva Martin of Ormak, WA, Rita Martin of Green City, MO and Genevine Martin of Chicago, IL and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Perry and Evelyn Williams of Kirksville, MO

Olen was reared in rural Winigan, MO where he attended Hickory Grove and Comstock schools. He graduated from the Green City High School with the Class of 1944. Olen served his country in the Merchant Marines from 1944 to 1945 in New London, Connecticut.

After being honorably discharged, he lived in Twisp, WA and worked as a logger. After his marriage to Irma, Olen worked at the Mars Candy Factory in Chicago, IL and as a milkman in Burlington, IA. He then served his country again in the Army Signal Corp in Fort Lewis, WA and San Luis Obispo, CA from 1952 to 1954. After his honorable discharge, he and Irma moved back to Missouri where he attended barber college in St. Louis, MO. After completing barber college he became part owner of the White Palace Barber Shop in Kirksville. Over the years he became the soul owner and changed the name of the shop to The Hair Palace. Olen retired in 2001 at the age of 75, completing 47 years as a barber.

Olen was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Kirksville, the El Kadir Shrine Club, Masonic Lodge #105 A.M.&A.F and the Kirksville Optimist Club.

Olen was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He loved being with people, whether it was at the barber shop, club activities or at the coffee group, it made his day to visit with his friends.

Memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, December 21, 2013, at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Chapel with Virgil K. Jones officiating. Music will be provided by Lanna Novinger singing “I am But A Stranger Here”,”There You’ll Be” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, accompanied by Dianthe Cable, organist. Entombment with military rites will be in the Maple Hills Chapel Mausoleum in Kirksville.

Visitation with the family will be from 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 21, 2013, until the time of the service. A Masonic service will be held preceding the Memorial at 2:30 Saturday in the
Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home
2100 E. Shepherd Ave.
Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233

The family has suggested memorial to the Shriners Children’s Hospital or the Kirksville Optimist C