Richard René Martell

Dick passed away unexpectedly February 9, 2022 at home. He was born May 15, 1945 in Royal Oak, Michigan, the son of Richard D. and Jean W. (Barker) Martell. Dick graduated from Bath High School Class of 1963, but grew up going to North Branch schools. His passion was the big trucks. He loved everything about those big trucks and was a truck driver most of his adult life, starting at Bruce Cartage in Lansing during the 1970s-80s. He then spent 25 years with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, as a truck driver & equipment operator building public boat launches throughout the Lower Peninsula. After retiring from the DNR in 2006, he continued to drive truck on a part-time basis for Inter Commerce Express Trucking Company out of Grand Rapids.

When he wasn't trucking, he was tinkering in the garage, always tweaking and fine tuning his vehicles, lawnmowers, etc. His favorite pastime was buying instant scratch off lottery tickets. It was a hobby he did with his mother since they first came out in Michigan in the early 1970s. He claimed to "have a system" and seemed to win more than not. At his 2 local gas stations, the employees dubbed him "Lucky" because he was always trading in winning tickets and buying more. When he wasn’t trucking or tinkering in the garage, he loved to spend time with his family and friends. Dick loved everyone he met, especially his grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and never met a person that he couldn't make smile. He was always telling corny jokes and tall tales. His favorite question to ask everyone no matter who they were was, “What do you think of the rectum as a (w)hole?” He was sometimes crude, sometimes inappropriate, but always the life of the party.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a grandson, Caleb, and the love of his mortal life, Julie. Dick was married to Julie for 28 years and it was truly a joy to watch how they lit up when the other walked into the room. Some of his very last thoughts were of her.

Surviving in addition to his current wife, Brenda (Armstrong-Morse), are his son, Jason Martell and his wife, Samantha, of Dearborn; daughter, Kristina Turner of Webberville (both children from his first wife, Shirley); 5 grandchildren, Julian Martell, Caden Turner, Chloee Turner, Selma Martell, and Nora Martell; stepchildren, Christopher Morse and his wife Ashley, of Kentwood, Courtney Morse of Battle Creek; one sister, Karen Peters, and her husband Lee, of Cadillac; one brother, Gene Martell, of Detroit; and many nieces and nephews.

A service of remembrance will be held 11a.m. – 1p.m. Saturday, February 19, 2022 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 205 East Middle Street, Williamston, Michigan 48895, followed by a funeral service at 1p.m. For those unable to attend the service please use this live stream link https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/69665

also a button islocated below under the service information entitled “Join Live Stream”.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grwilliamston.com for the Martell family.

Those who wish to remember Dick in a special way may make gifts in his memory to Faith Hospice, 2100 Raybrook SE, Suite 300, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546.