KennethAlbert Martin, 70, of Harrisonburg, passed away peacefully at his home on
Jan. 16, 2023, with family by his side after living the last year and a half with
melanoma cancer that had spread to his lungs and eventually his brain.
Ken was born in Kitchener, Ontario, on July 8, 1952, to the late Delton and Vera
Martin. He is survived by his wife,Arleta (Stutzman) and his two sisters, Janice (Cal)
Cressman (Ontario) and Isobel (Mahlon) Frey (Ontario). He was a proud father to, and
survived by, Katrina (Eliot) Swartz, Nathan (Adrianne Herzog) Martin, andAlicia
(Benjamin) Beitzel. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren, whom he loved
dearly, Mona, Hattie,Annie, Liam, Piper, Finnley, and Hugo.
Ken graduated from Hesston and Goshen Colleges. He marriedArleta in 1975 and they
moved toAkron, Pa., where they worked and volunteered with Mennonite Central
Committee. They lived in Haiti from 1985-1988 with MCC. Upon returning toAkron,
he started his profession with Lehman Insurance Agency and Everence as a financial
consultant and retired from a career that he loved in 2018.
Ken will be remembered by those who loved him for his twinkling eyes, his sense of
humor, and love of potato chips. Ken loved bike riding with his wife and friends and
enjoyed traveling, hiking, and camping. He adored his grandchildren and enjoyed
reading and playing with them. He also loved his sweet cat, Thelma.
Ken’s family would like to thank Sentara Hospice, especially nurseApril, for their care
and support over the past several months. They would also like to thank his oncologist
at UVA, Dr. Gaughan, and her amazing team.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the UVAEmily Couric Cancer Center
or Sentara Hospice. Donation links will be available on the kyger's website.
Amemorial service will be held on Jan. 28, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Forest Hills Mennonite
Church in Leola, Pa. There will be a family visitation on Friday, Jan. 27, from 6-8 p.m.
at Forest Hills. The service will also be live streamed. Please visit Kygers.com for the
link.
Condolences may be shared at kygers.com.
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