Harold E. Martens

Harold E. Martens, 59, born in York, Maine on January 15, 1952 to Marvin M. Martens, Sr. and Lourena Mae Webber Martens, died on April 28, 2011.

Mr. Martens moved to New York State and to Philadelphia, where he lived for almost 25 years. He later moved to Labelle, Fla., Okeechobee, Fla. and Perry, Fla. and finally to High Springs, where he spent the happiest 3-1/2 years of his life after marrying his beloved wife, Nelda Jane, on August 11, 2007.

As a youth, he enjoyed fishing, horseback riding and playing cards with his grandparents, parents and siblings. He still played cards with his sister, Donna, on every occasion that they could. As an adult, he was a truck driver like his father before him and his three brothers. He loved and followed Jehovah for 42 years, being baptized on July 15, 1969. He was happy to have finally found a loving mate who was his best friend and partner in their busy service to Jehovah together. He occasionally auxiliary pioneered, including the month of his death, sharing in the Memorial Invitation campaign.  His favorite scripture was Psalm 63:3 (What is better than life?) and Revelation 21:3, 4.

He is survived by his wife, Nelda Jane Martens of High Springs; father, Marvin M. (Joyce) Martens, Sr. of Manchester, Maine; five siblings and one adopted brother, Barbara (Ed) Evansen of Unity, Maine, Marvin (Sam), Jr. (Debra) Martens of Aurora, Ala., Ralph (Penny) Martens of Labelle, Fla., Bruce (Bobbi) Martens of Live Oak, Fla., Donna (Bill) Estey of Perry, Fla., and Richard A. (Patty) Lewis of Okeechobee, Fla..

His extended family, aunt Orrilla Danforth of Bunnlevel, N.C., Uncle Fred (Cathy) Webber of High Springs, Fla., Uncle Donald (Dru) Webber of Lehigh Acres, Fla., step-children, who considered Harold as a father, Robert Anthony (Belinda) Conrad of Providence, Fla., Tina (Matthew) Salyers of Lake City, Fla., and Wilson W. Conrad Jr. of Bell, Fla.; five grandchildren who adored him, Angela, Jesse and Phoebe Salyers, Carlos and Isaiah Conrad; many cousins, nieces, nephews spiritual brothers and sisters and friends.

Graveside services will be held for immediate family only and a few friends on May 7, 2011 at 2 p.m. in Ft. White.

Memorial service will be held on May 14, 2011 at 2 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at 310 SE 7^th Avenue, High Springs.

Arrangements are under the care of Evans-Carter Funeral Home in High Springs.