Obituary of Charles Martin

Charles Martin, age 91, passed away on April 2, 2012 in Banning, CA. He was born on January 1, 1921 on the Morongo Indian Reservation to John Martin and Sarah Morongo Martin. He lived on the reservation all of his life. He proudly served in WWII and went to machine gun school, parachute school and was an Army Paratrooper. He retired from the Morongo Health Clinic and was a former member of the Tribal Council. Charles was one of a kind. Known for his biscuits, salsa and apricot pie, He was an awesome husband and grandfather, a very proud veteran and had many long time friends from the clinic and the casino. Charles is survived by his wife of 26 years Grace Martin; sister, Anna Martin; brother, Calvin Martin, all of the Morongo Reservation; step daughters and sons-in-law Mary and Ron Broussard of Lafayette, Louisiana and Becky and Mark Connolly of Beaumont, CA; Sylvia and George Olivas of Bakersfield, CA; step daughter and fiancé Michelle Velasquez and Edward Gordin of Banning, CA; step son Leonardo Lopez of Cabazon, CA; god son Leonard Linton, Jr., lots of nieces, nephews and a lifetime of friends on the Morongo Indian Reservation; 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his 1st wife Ione martin and one stillborn son Charles Martin, Jr.; parents John Martin and Sarah Morongo Martin; brothers Frank Lawes, John Martin, Louie Martin, Paul Martin and sister Ella Martin. Traditional all night wake: Friday, April 13, 2012 starting at 5:00pm at the Morongo Tribal Hall; Celebration of Life: Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the Morongo Moravian Church with a Graveside Service to follow at the Morongo Tribal Cemetery.