Ralph E. Martin

Ralph Martin, 102, died Monday, August 1, at his home in Indianapolis. He was born December 9, 1919 in Salina KS, the son of Edward and Margaret (Ruth) Martin. He was raised in Solomon and Saline County, KS and attended Kansas Wesleyan and Kansas State Universities prior to World War II. During the war he served as waist gunner and radio man on a B-26 Martin Marauder in the 344th Bomb Group of the Ninth Air Force in Europe. After the war he returned to Kansas, completed his Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Kansas, and went to work for the Aetna Insurance Company. While with the Aetna, Ralph was transferred to South Bend, IN, then to Evansville, and finally to Indianapolis. While in Evansville, he met (Norma) Maxine Hodgkins, and they were married in 1952, making their home in Indianapolis. During the early years of their marriage, Ralph attended night school at Indiana University’s Law School in Indianapolis, graduating in 1955. Within a couple of years he left the Aetna for Indiana Insurance Group, while the couple was awaiting the birth of their third child. They remained in Indianapolis for the rest of their lives, although for several years after retirement, they spent the winter months in Florida. Ralph and Maxine were avid sports fans and enjoyed travel, with many trips centered around sporting events. Ralph especially enjoyed planning trips, finding accommodations, and making arrangements for the group of relatives they frequently shared trips with. Maxine passed away in 2017. Ralph was also preceded in death by his brother Tom Martin, sisters Ruth Sullivan, Madeline Shelton, Marjorie Martin, grandson Kevin Stricklin, and nephew Dan Shelton. He is survived by three daughters, Kathleen, Suzanne (Kim)Stricklin, and Connie, granddaughters, Jennifer Dunham and Tammy (Tim) Browning, six great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. Service will be held at Crown Hill Funeral Home in the Gothic Chapel on Sunday, August 7th at 2pm, with visitation starting at 1:30pm. visit www.crownhill.org for more information.