Ben F. Martin

Bishop Ben F. Martin, 80, of 520 Countryside Lane, New Holland, died unexpectedly, Friday, April 13, 2012, from a fall.

Born in Earl Twp. he was the son of the late Abram Z. and Anna N. (Hoover) Martin. He was married to Mary Z. (Martin) Martin.

Ben was a retired farmer and Bishop of the Groffdale Conference Mennonite Church. He was a member of the New Holland Old Order Mennonite Church.

Surviving in addition to his wife are 10 children, Mervin, married to Laura (Zeiset) Martin of New Holland, John Earl, married to Julia (Stauffer) Martin of Penn Yan, NY, Anna Mae, married to Paul Martin of Kutztown, Martha, married to Titus Weaver of Terre Hill, Glenn, married to Elsie (Newswanger) Martin of New Enterprise, Janet, married to Leroy Garman of Martinsburg, Vernon, married to Mary Ann (Horst) Martin of Penn Yan, NY, Alma, married to Mervin Zeiset of Penn Yan, NY, Marian, married to Leonard Nolt of Dundee, NY, and Susan, married to Loren Martin of Dundee, NY; 69 grandchildren; 44 great grandchildren; five brothers and a sister, Paul, married to Ella Mae (Martin) Martin of Lewisburg, Abram, married to Mabel (Zeiset) Martin of Latham, MO, Alvin married to Ada (Zimmerman) Martin of Shiloh, OH, Isaac, married to Eva (Zeiset) Martin of Fortuna, MO, Mary, married to Elmer Burkholder of Leola, and Jonathan, married to Ada (Hoover) Martin of New Holland.

Preceding him in death are four grandchildren; a great grandchild; a brother, C. Walter Martin; and a foster sister, Ella Martin.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 18 at 8:45 at the late home with further services at 9:30 am at the New Holland Old Order Mennonite Church with the Bishop Titus Martin officiating. Interment will be in the adjoining cemetery. Viewing will be held on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the late home. Kindly omit flowers. Arrangements are with the Groff-High Funeral Home, New Holland.