August "Auggie" John Martin

August (Auggie) J. Martin

November 19, 1943 – September 5, 2025

On the evening of September 5, 2025, Auggie slipped peacefully away into the arms of Jesus with his family at his side providing a serenade for him on his journey.

Auggie was born on November 19, 1943, to John and Margaret (Rose) Martin, the youngest of 3 children. From an early age, Auggie was the apple of his sister Marilyn’s eye and the pesky, tag-a-long to his brother Ray.

Auggie attended schools in Prairie Creek, Shelburn, and North Central where he made the decision to serve his country in the United States Navy. While learning many skills in the Navy, Auggie was also able to see many parts of the world and had stories to tell about them; Auggie was proud to be part of this distinguished group.

On January 3, 1963, Auggie promised the most beautiful woman, Joann Lewis, to always be hers. Auggie and Joann were able to experience many, many adventures in their 62 years together.

Auggie was a retired union ironworker who not only was active in building many local landmarks but also traveled to Texas to work as well. Auggie was fearless walking the steel beams high above the earth. In 1972, Auggie fell 90 feet while building a power plant but when most would find a new career, Auggie returned to continue working with those beams in the sky.

In the early 80s, Martin Maintenance was born. Starting small, Auggie grew the company to build pole barns both large and small. It is hard to drive through the area without seeing one of his barns. In 2006, Auggie and Joann finally called a wrap on their careers and retired to travel. Their adventures took them coast to coast and north to south making many friends along the way; of course, he never met a stranger. Together, Auggie and Joann experienced many of the national parks and enjoyed time being campground hosts in several beautiful areas.

Family always came first to Auggie and there was nothing more important to him. Auggie never missed an event his kids were a part of and that then followed into his grandkids. Auggie’s pride in his children and grandchildren was unmatched; to ask him was to learn we probably owned or were CEO’s of large organizations. There are no smarter people than his grandkids and his great-grandkids.

Auggie was part of starting softball in Shelburn as a recreational activity for girls in the early 70s and spent several years coaching; with 2 girls playing softball and a boy playing baseball, more often than not, he could be found of an evening at the ballpark. Auggie maintained a presence in the community serving on the town board for many years and helping out with local events. Auggie provided guidance where needed and would be the first to lend a hand, or a finger if necessary.

In later years, Auggie began attending services at Crossroads Community Church with Tracey and her family. When he wasn’t able to attend in person, Auggie enjoyed listening to the services and music online.

Auggie has been reunited in heaven with his parents, John atnd Margaret Martin, his brother Glenn (Ray) and Patty Martin, his sister Marilyn (Ed) Wilson as well as his niece Dawn Glasgow and daughter-in-law Sue Martin.

Left to mourn Auggie’s passing is his wife of 62 years, Joann (Lewis) Martin, those who proudly called him DAD, Angie and Frank Kuckewich, Scott and Debi Martin, and Tracey and Bill Drappo, those who called him Papa, Nicole (Jake) Black, Jonathan (Jenna ) Eastham, Brandon Eastham, Kody (Kylee) Martin, Ashleigh Martin, BiIly (Mary) Drappo, Annie (Aaron) Drappo, Faye (John) Osborn, and those who called him PappyBoo, August, Adelaide, Sadie, Hartley, Harrison, and one more arriving in February. Also surviving is his Goddaughter Samantha Knoblett and her family, brothers-in law Bill (Jan) Lewis and Jeff Lewis as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Their cat, favorite child, Tabby will continue to keep Mom company at home.

Visitation with the family will be held at Holmes Memorial Chapel in Sullivan on Wednesday, September 10 from 11am to 1pm with services to begin at 1pm.