Joseph Marti
July 19, 1929 — January 26, 2012
Joseph Merlin Marti, 82, of Sabetha died Thursday, January 26, 2012 at the Apostolic Christian Home in Sabetha.
Joseph was born on July 19, 1929 on a farm southeast of Bern, Kansas the son of Joseph Marti, Sr and Lydia (Wittmer) Marti. Joe had one sister, Ella (Aeschliman) Hartter. He grew up on the family farm. He attended eight years at the Eureka Country School of the rural Bern area.
In 1953, Joe was drafted into the Armed Forces and served two years active duty followed by eight years in the Army Reserves. In his active duty he was stationed at Camp Pickett, Virginia, Ft. Sam Houston, Texas and Ft. Riley, Kansas.
Following his army years he returned to the family farm and farmed with his father. He also did custom farming in the Bern area.
Through his years on the farm Joe’s special love was buying and selling old machinery and antique equipment. He enjoyed attending farm sales and spent many years in this work.
In his youth Joe was converted and became a member of the Apostolic Christian Church of Bern. Due to failing health he moved to Sabetha in 1998 and to the Apostolic Christian Nursing Home in June of 2000.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Sr. in 1962, Lydia in 1975, his sister, Ella Hartter in November of 1994 and his niece, Nancy Baumgartner in July of 2001.
Survivors include brother-in-law, Lester Hartter of the Apostolic Christian Home; Leonard Baumgartner (husband of niece, Nancy) of Sabetha, Stephen Hartter of Sabetha, Lynn Hartter of Seneca and Neil Hartter of Bern.
Funeral service will be Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the Bern Apostolic Christian Church. Visitation will be Monday evening from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Popkess Mortuary Chapel in Sabetha. The interment will be made in the Bern Apostolic Church Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Apostolic Christian Home, sent in care of the funeral home, 823 Virginia, Sabetha, KS 66534.