John C. "Pepper" Martin

John “Pepper” C. Martin, 69, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday from congestive heart failure.

John the son of Jim and Violet (Smith) Martin was born in Arlington, Vermont on May 17, 1948 where he grew up until enlisting in the Army during Vietnam where he served in the 44th Medical Brigade.  John’s journey eventually wound up in Warsaw, IN where he met his wife Tonda (Nisley) while working at the Kosciusko Community Hospital together as lab technicians.  They would marry in 1979 and start a family in 1980 with the birth of their first son Ben.  The family moved to Millersburg, IN and John started working at Goshen Hospital where he participated in the hospital softball team and was an active church member at Zion Community Church where he loved to sing in the choir.  In 1984 John and Tonda welcomed their second son, Ted.  By 1992 new adventures awaited the Martins and they moved to Webster Groves, MO just outside of St. Louis.  There John worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital and part time as a grounds crew member at Eden Theological Seminary where his wife was attending.  In 1996 the Martin family moved to Mazon, IL.  While in Mazon, John worked at Morris Hospital, was an active member of the church’s choir, The Prairie Singers, and volunteered at MVK Middle School as a tutor and coach.  His final move came in 2007 when he and Tonda moved to Goshen, Indiana.  In his final years he volunteered at Greencroft and loved talking to the community members and brightening up their day.  Last year he was ecstatic to see his beloved Chicago Cubs win the World Series.

Throughout John’s life he lived many places but wherever his life’s journey’ took him he was well known for his infectious smile, his big heart, and his sincere desire to want to get to know others.  He will be missed greatly by those who knew him but there is little doubt that the ripples left from the goodness he provided will be felt for years to come.

He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Janet, and sister-in-law Joann.  He is survived by his wife Tonda, son Ted, son Ben, and daughter-in-law Erica (Hershberger), brother Jim (Pearl), brother Paul (Fran), and brother-in-law Harvey.  He leaves behind several nieces and nephews who loved their Uncle Pep fiercely.  He also leaves behind his wife’s family that he was deeply devoted to, his mother-in-law Sandra, and sisters-in-law Tammy and Terri (Steve).  Finally his beloved puppies Gracie, Buster, and Lil’ Sebastian who provided him so much joy and comfort over the course of the final years of his life.  In lieu of flowers the family asks for you to provide a donation to the Northern Indiana Service Dogs (www.northernindianaservicedogs.com) in his name.

John requested that there be no service, instead his sons request that you please pay your respect to John by singing the first verse in Go Cubs Go! On Sunday, September 10th right before the start of their 1:20 game against the Milwaukee Brewers.