Johnnie “John” Franklin Martin was born in Seattle to Billie Howard Martin and Moween Arlee Martin on Dec. 1, 1944. He passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 12, 2026, at the age of 81.
John lived in Centralia most of his life. After attending Centralia College, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years, including service in Vietnam. He wrote for the Marines’ Leatherneck Magazine.
John worked for many years as a writer and editor for The Daily Chronicle. He also worked as editor of Logger’s World and operated Lewis County dealerships for The Oregonian and USA Today for several years. Prior to retirement, John worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a rural mail carrier in Centralia for 26 years.
John’s highest priority in life was serving his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He served as an elder at the Centralia Bible Chapel. He was one of the men who shared messages from the pulpit and also worked with young people in Sunday school, weekly Bible Kids’ Clubs and Vacation Bible School, and helped at Shiloh Bible Camp. He also helped with Emmaus Bible courses for people serving time in jail or prison.
His ability to play the guitar was very helpful with music at the chapel. His love of the Lord inspired him to write many wonderful poems that blessed those who read them. His favorite Bible verse was Romans 5:8.
John was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Michael and Bill; and his daughter, Kathy.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Peggy; son, Dan, of Centralia; daughter Rose Evans of Chehais; brothers, George, of Okanogan, Washington, and Sam, of Conconully, Washington; sisters, Patty Luce, of Rochester, and Peggy Haase, of Tenino; granddaughters, Danielle Zandecki, of Centralia, and Melody Zandecki, of Chehalis; and grandsons, Schuyler White, of Centralia, and Zachary Zandecki, of Chehalis.
A celebration of John’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, at Fort Borst Park, Kitchen No. 2.
