Martin Barnard

November 28, 1931 - February 27, 2020

On the brisk sunny morning of February 27th, 2020 Martin C. Barnard, a devoted husband, a hard working providing father to: Kurt (Heidi) Barnard of Oshkosh, Kim (Jim) Holliday of Berlin, Kevin (Sharon) Barnard of Wild Rose, Keith (Laura) Barnard of Madison, Karla (Jay) Wakeley of Berlin and Karen Schmidt of Berlin...( His six-K's). A memorable Grandfather to 19 grandchildren and a lovable Great Grandfather to 22 great grandchildren, died at the age of 88 at the Patriot Place of Berlin. Martin (“Marty") was born in the Township of Union, Wisconsin on November 28th 1931. He was the eleventh child of fifteen of the late Lee and Lillian (Kimberly) Barnard. Growing up in the Evansville area, Marty had a plethora of interest. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, dancing, going for rides, working with his hands and was well known for working on his puzzels, He was even in the Janseville Newspaper for saving a young boy from drowning, which is ironic because he was not a lover of water. However, being very proud of his name, humble was his soul. Soon Marty would find himself off to war. He was a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corp and served 18 months on the frontlines of Korea. Even though he never shared his stories until later in life, he always reminded us, “Once a Marine, always a Marine!” He truly loved and was proud of his Brothers in Arms. After the war, Marty became a foreman for a concrete company. He would travel around the state pouring curb & gutter for city streets. One summer day in June of 1956 he was working on South Washington Street in Berlin and met the love of his life, Beatrice (Beatz) Seaman. With a desire in his soul and a small encouragement from his new found love, Marty converted to being Catholic. The two were married on January 1819, 1958. Once married, Marty & Beatz decided to settle down in Berlin to raise a family. He took a job on second shift as a machine press operator for Speed Queen. He worked there for 34 years until he retired. After retirement Marty liked to keep busy. You could drive pass the house on North Washington Street, where he lived for over 50 years, and see him working in the yard, building yard swings or playing volleyball. People would also wave as he would pass them by on his daily drives or as he sat silently in church on early Sunday mornings. When playing the bells at the Patriot Place, us kids would smile to ourselves and compliment him on his good performance not realizing his music ablility. Marty was proceeded in death by his wife of 46 years, Beatz, Grandson, Joshua G. Wakeley, and Son in-law, James (Jim) Schmidt. We will truly miss you and will cherish all the wonderful memories. You have done well, good and faithful servant of God, May you rest in peace. * The righteous man perishes and no one lays it to heart: devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken from calamity: he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness" ISAIAH: 57 1-2 A Memorial Mass will take place at All Saints Catholic Church in Berlin on Saturday, March 7th, 2020 at 10:30am with Father David Greenfield officiating, fellowship and luncheon in the Church Hall afterwards.