Richard W. Martin

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Richard William Martin, who left us peacefully on January 10, 2025 at the age of 89. Richard was a beloved member of our family and community, known for his warm heart, adventurous spirit, and love for family and friends.  Richard, born in Milwaukee on January 16, 1935, married the love of his life Marilynn on November 5, 1960. Their marriage was blessed with three boys: Craig (Sharon) of West Bend, Brandt (Dana) of Beaumont Tx, and Tim (Peggy) of Cedarburg.  Richard was also the proud grandfather of five grandkids: Douglas (Jenna) of Oconomowoc, Sara, of Chicago, Nicholas (Maddi) of Port Washington, Alison of Cedarburg, and Daniel of Cedarburg. 

Richard was a member of Pilgrim United Church of Christ of Grafton for 50+ years, worked in Vending in Milwaukee and Lauers True Value Hardware in Grafton for 30+ years. He also spent 20 years of retirement working at Groth’s Nursery in Cedarburg.  Richard was a proud Army veteran that served in the Korean War between 1954 and 1956.  Richard cherished time spent with family at his lake properties in Princeton, WI or in Fond du Lac on Lake Winnebago. The annual family vacation destination, Sunrise Lodge on Lac Vieux Desert in Phelps, Wisconsin was always a favorite that all looked forward to. Whether spending countless hours on the water or in the woods with his boys or enjoying a post fishing cribbage game with an Old Fashion in hand, Richard was the ultimate family man and he will be greatly missed.  Richard was preceded in death by his wife Marilynn in 2009, his parents Herman and Viola, sister Delores, and his beloved four-legged best friend and companion, Coal.

Special thank you to Cedar Community in West Bend for providing the care Richard needed.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025 – 12:00 PM at Pilgrim United Church of Christ 1621 2nd Ave. Grafton, WI. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 11:45 AM. Inurnment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Grafton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Pilgrim UCC in Grafton, WI or the Ozaukee Humane Society in Saukville WI.