James J. Martin

James J. Martin, 76, Greenleaf, died Friday, November 17, 2017 at Blue Valley Senior Living, Blue Rapids, KS. A rosary service was held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 30, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Greenleaf. A Funeral Mass was on Friday, December 1, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Kimeo. Father Joseph Kieffer officiated. Organist was Gina Miller and the choir sang “Here I Am Lord,” “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art,” “Peace is Flowing Like a River” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Burial was in the St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery, Kimeo. Military Honors were by the McConnell Air Force Base Honor Guard. Jim was born at Kimeo on September 28, 1941 to James F. and Bernardine (Diederich) Martin. He graduated from high school in 1959 and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Jim was a Vietnam veteran and retired from the Air Force on August 31, 1979, after serving for twenty years. He was united in marriage to Maria Salazar in Panama and they moved to Greenleaf after his retirement from the service. Jim later worked as a meat inspector for the USDA, traveling in both Kansas and Nebraska. He retired from the USDA in 2015 after 35 years of service. Jim was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Greenleaf, and was also a member of American Legion Post 235. He loved traveling to visit friends and family, cooking, and could be seen riding his bike every day around Greenleaf. Preceding him in death were his parents; brother, Dennis Martin; and sisters, Carol Martin, Mary Ann Czarneski and Rose Marie Riek. Survivors include his wife, Maria Martin; children Cindy Martin, Clayton, IN, James J. (Michelle) Martin Jr. and Khasi Schnacke, both of Lawrence; step sons Rolando (Diana) Salazar, Denver, CO, and Ricardo Smith, Greenleaf; sisters Maxine Haynes, Van Nuys, CA, Joyce Abrams, Belton, MO; and nine grandchildren and several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. A memorial fund is established to the Wounded Warrior Association. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home, Washington To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James J. Martin, please visit our flower store.