Donald Lavern Martin, 78, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Thursday (November 1, 2012) at his home.

The son of Paul Truman and Vera Violet (Phipps) Martin, he was born March 25, 1934 in Stahl, Missouri. On October 29, 1955 in Kirksville, Missouri, Donald married Carol Truitt. On June 10, 2000, Donald married Carol (Pope) Steele in Branson, Missouri.

Donald is survived by his wife Carol; one son, Michael Scott Martin and wife Lisa of Genoa, IL; one daughter, Teresa Dawn (Martin) Busche of Genoa, IL; one brother, Hubert Martin of Novinger, MO; one sister, Karen (Martin) Filkins of Nixa, MO; step children, Gregg Steele of Richmond, MO, Kella (Steele) Wadle of Ackworth, IA, Tim Steele of Columbia, MO, and Brent Steele of Novinger, MO; three grandchildren, Zach Martin of Courtland, IL, Shelby Martin and Briana Busche both of Genoa, IL; two great-grandchildren, Annie and Shane Martin; step grandchildren, Michael and Scott Busche and numerous other step grandchildren; as well as nieces and nephews, Marty Martin of Novinger, MO, Shonda Wood of Kirksville, MO, Rhonda Blacksmith of LaPlata, MO, Jeff Martin of Novinger, MO, Kristen Mayer of Topeka, KS and Amanda Crawford of Springfield, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Marvin Martin and one step son, Rick Steele.

Donald was a graduate from Novinger High School with the Class of 1951. He served in the United States Coast Guard. Donald resided in Elgin, Illinois where he attended Elgin Community College of Real Estate School, was a member of the Chicago District Council of Carpenters forty years, was Commander of Elgin Shrine Cycle Patrol and was named Shriner of the Year in 1977. After forty years of residing in Elgin, Donald retired and moved to Kirksville, Missouri, in 2000. After moving to Kirksville, Donald became a member of the Kirksville Moose Lodge #1751.

Donald enjoyed Country and Blue Grass music and sang and played in Blue Grass bands over the years. He also sang on KIRX Radio from 1953-1954 with the 4 Harmoneers.

Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday (November 4, 2012) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Pastor Dan Todd presiding. Interment will follow the service at Novinger Cemetery in Novinger, Missouri.

Family will receive friends on Sunday (November 4, 2012) from noon until service time at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Tim Steele, Bill Pope, Marty Martin, Gregg Steele, Zachary Martin, Joe Morrison, Brett Steele and Jeff Martin.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Donald Martin may be made to the Shiner’s Children’s Hospital or to Dialysis Clinic, Inc. of Kirksville. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.