Obituary of Martin T. Heath

Martin Thomas Heath, 81 of Houston Road in Eaton Rapids passed away peacefully on Friday, June 6, 2014 at Eaton Community Palliative Care. Martin, who would also answer to "Mart," "M.T." or "Hey You" but never "Late for Dinner", was born a twin, on June 24, 1932 to the late Charles Leroy and Christine Verda (Farchette) Heath at home on Bentley Street in Eaton Rapids. After high school Mart immediately hired on at Oldsmobile as a lineman. After two years Martin was drafted in to the United States Army to serve during the Korean War. He PROUDLY served his country, along with many other men, in the 6th Armored Division. He spent over 12 months in Korea as a Corporal attached to the Air Force's 8th Air Force Division where their motto was "Deterrence through strength, global strike on demand." After coming home from war Martin immediately went straight back to work for GM/Olds. He was always a proud supporter of our country's military members and was a life member of the VFW Post #6986 and the American Legion Post #42 in Charlotte. On January 7, 1956 Martin wed the love of his life, source of entertainment and constant companion, Lois Jean Love, when they eloped to Angola, Indiana. Together Martin and Lois had three children who were all raised in Eaton Rapids. Martin retired from GM on April 30, 1982 as a Quality Control Supervisor. He was an energetic man who could turn anything in life in to a pun, nothing was ever too safe and frequently would challenge his grandchildren to a race to the mailbox (which he almost always won). Martin could fix anything, saved everything and was the creator of his own OK Corral. Every summer Martin would pack up and take their fifth wheel and boat to the lake where he would get Lois all settled in so she could fish until her heart was content; many times he even took along the kids and their friends. Later in life they wintered in Florida where he and many other family members bought houses in the same park. He enjoyed spending his winters in Florida and enjoyed the great company he had there even more. Martin was a family man in every sense of the word. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife and siblings Don Heath, Dick Heath, Jim Heath, Merton Heath, Reva Parker, Rhea Betcher and Joyce Carter. Martin is survived by his children, Richard (Karen) Heath of Hastings, Michigan, Kathy (Rob) Rouser of Eaton Rapids and Chuck Heath of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Heather (Bill Melendy) Heath of New Buffalo, Michigan, Emily (Jake) Elliott of Hastings, Michigan, Tiffany (Mark Foster) Rouser of Eaton Rapids, John Rouser of Eaton Rapids, and Jason Rouser of Munising, Michigan; great grandchildren Ivory, Ariel, Keegan, Cloey, Bronson, Owen and Grant and sister Myrtle Gordier of Marshall, Michigan along with countless friends and extended family members. Funeral services to honor Martin's long life and legacy will be held at 11:00 a.m. on June 10, 2014 at the Shelly Odell Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids with Pastor Rockney Wing officiating. Burial will follow at Munger Cemetery where Martin will be laid to rest next to his wife. Those wishing to make a donation may do so in Martin's name to the amazing people at Eaton Community Palliative Care who cared for Martin as if he were their own family.