Donley David Martin

Donley David Martin, age 87, of Hayden, departed this life on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, in the University of Missouri Medical Center, Columbia. He was born on July 28, 1933, in the Maries County farm country surrounding Hayden, Missouri, a son of Perry E. and Pearl (Roberson) Martin. He attended grade school in the country at the Kenner School near Hayden, and was a 1952 graduate of the Vienna High School in Vienna. After high school, Don followed in his brother Rockford's footsteps and was working on a farm at Neola, Iowa, when he answered his nation's call to serve in the United States Army. On July 15, 1953, at St. Louis, Don entered into active federal service in the United States Army and served until May 18, 1955, when he was honorably discharged at Fort Carson, Colorado, at the rank of Private First Class. Don served in Company "M" of the 38th Infantry Regiment on the front lines of battle as a machine gun squad leader during the Korean Conflict. He was awarded and entitled to wear the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. A man of excellent character, Don's "Honorable Discharge" is a testimonial of honest and faithful service to his country during the Korean Conflict. After his military service, Don worked for the Fisher Auto Body Plant in St. Louis, then moved on to other employment, including a job as a correctional officer at a boys reformatory, and as a sales manager for a local furniture store. He was united in marriage on December 23, 1982, at Rolla, to the former Virginia Mae (Venable) Caton. Don's last employment was with the City of Rolla's Municipal Utilities, from which he retired in August of 1998. Through all his careers, his goal was to work his way back to the family farm and the land he loved in his youth. He hunted and fished a little, enjoyed the company of his friends and neighbors, and most of all, enjoyed working with his animals and the constant activity of the farm life. Those left to mourn the passing of Don include: His wife, Virginia Martin, of the home; his two step-children, Melodia (Mike) Crum of Springfield, Missouri, and Russell (Shelley) Caton of Rolla, Missouri; his two step-grandchildren, Joey Crum of Springfield, and Justin (Katie) Crum of Hayden; his two step-great-grandchildren, Brodee Crum and Baylee Crum, both of Hayden; nephews, nieces, with greats and great-greats as well; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Perry, on June 19, 1982; his mother, Pearl, on January 3, 1946; and his three brothers and three sisters, James Elmer Martin, Martha Jane Dambach, Winifred Mable Terry, infant Adrian Coolidge Martin, Rockford Perry Martin, and Isola Adene Jordan. A beloved husband, step-father, step-grandfather, and step-great-grandfather, Don will indeed be sadly missed by his dear family, friends, neighbors, members of the surrounding communities, and all who knew and loved him. Visitation for Mr. Donley David Martin will be held from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 14, 2020, in the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, 406 South Main Street, Vienna, MO 65582, with his funeral service following at 1:00 p.m. in the funeral chapel with Wesley Wallace, Licking, Missouri, officiating. Interment, with full military honors, will be in the Kenner Cemetery near Dixon, under the direction of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home in Vienna. Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Donley David Martin are suggested by his family to the Kenner Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund with envelopes available at the funeral home or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 250, Vienna, MO 65582.