Warren A. Martin, beloved husband, father, grandfather and uncle passed away Tuesday evening January 10, 2017 after a brief illness. He was 94 years of age.
The son of the late Alvin and Hilda (Johnson) Martin, Warren was born April 30, 1922 in Saginaw, MI. He married the "love of his life", Alice Van Wagoner on October 5, 1946. After nearly 58 years of marriage, she predeceased him on March 15, 2004.
Warren was a professional baseball pitcher for 13 years. He played for both the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Cubs organizations. Career highlights included being on the 1941 Sox Spring training roster and also being listed in the 1945 World Series program as a Cubs Armed Services affiliate. He also played locally for the Saginaw Jackrabbits and Bears. Warren was honored to throw out the first pitch at a Great Lakes Loons game in August 2007.
He proudly served his country in WW II where he received two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantry Badge. He exemplified the Greatest Generation.
Warren started out in real estate and was a Vice President and Chief Appraiser at First Savings in Loan for 23 years. You can still see his office from the Castle museum. He was an avid fisherman (that's an understatement!) and a lifelong member of St John Lutheran Church, Saginaw, as well as the DAV & American Legion. Warren was inducted into the Saginaw Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. Warren and Alice enjoyed traveling throughout the western US and especially "Up North" often in St Ignace and Mackinac Island, either with their grandsons or Blackie the cat.
Warren is survived by his son, Kristopher Martin, Kalamazoo, daughter Karen Martin (Michael Sotire), San Diego; grandsons Zeno Martin (Pam Baker) Tacoma, WA and Skai Martin, Kalamazoo; nieces Lisa Trombley, Lynn Deisig and nephews Scott, Jeff, Rick and Matt Deisig and their families; also his sweet cat, Dolly.
Warren was also predeceased by his sister and brother in law, Suzanne and Jack Deisig, brother Jack Martin and infant brother Thomas, daughter-in-law Patti Shirley, and last, but not least, his favorite (feline) child Blackie!
We would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and staff at Covenant, especially in the ICU, where their care and compassion was truly exceptional.
Funeral services will be held at 12 PM on Monday, January 16, 2017 at the Reitz Herzberg Funeral Home, 1550 S. Midland Rd (S. M-47), Reverend Kathleen Basner officiating. Burial to follow in RoselawnCemetery.
Contributions in his memory may be made to St. John Lutheran Church or to the Saginaw County Animal Shelter.
Reitz-Herzberg Funeral Home
and O'Guinn Family Funeral Home
www.reitzherzberg.com