Alvin Martin

Alvin Lee "Al", "Grampa Train" Martin of Paola, KS passed to life in the spirit Dec. 25, 2008 after a long battle with emphysema. Al was born March 2, 1933, in Herington, KS to John and Hazel Kellogg Martin. While serving at Camp Pendleton as a Hospital Corpsman in the Navy, Al met Avanelle Knight. They married on December 6, 1952 in Temexico in the state of Morelos in the United States of Mexico. Their wedding in Mexico was so much fun they married again in Artesia, CA and recently celebrated 56 years of marriage. Al spent 5 years as a brakeman for the Rock Island Railroad before beginning his 26 year career as the manager of the Lafarge Transfer Station in Olathe. Although his career with the railroad was brief, his passion for trains continued throughout his life as he collected and created displays with model trains. One of his favorite activities was sharing his love of trains with his grandchildren and his great grandchildren. His other passions were calf-roping, fishing, woodworking, and traveling. For a time, Al built custom fishing rods, many of which were given as gifts to children at Lake Mary Center. Preceding him in death were his mother and father, a sister Wanda Clarke, and a brother, Gerald Martin. Survivors include his wife of the home, one sister Hazel Wendt of Herington, KS, four children, Katherine Skeens of Osawatoimie, KS, David Martin and his wife Gael of Spring Hill, KS, Terri Humphreys of Paola, KS, Miles Martin and wife Amy of Enterprize, KS, 10 grandchildren, Jason Nation, Jamie Gregg, Rachael Kelly, Shawn Laudan, Adam Martin, Jennifer Laudan, Sarah Martin, Bridget Martin, Shannon Martin, Miles Martin, II, 9 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Monday, Dec. 29, 2008 from 6-8 PM at the Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home Chapel in Paola, KS with the service Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008 at 1:30 PM also at the Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances to the Olathe Medical Center Hospice.