(From Daniel Funeral Home)Sterling Percy Martin, age 84, of Lamar, Missouri, passed away in his sleep on Thursday, December 11, 2025, in Pittsburg, KS.
Sterling was born July 31, 1941, in Clovis, New Mexico Territory, to Sterling Price Martin and Sarah Jewell (Atkins) Martin. On December 29, 1960, he married Mildred (Micky) Nell Hartsuiker in Cortez, Colorado. The two shared 60 years of marriage before her passing in 2021. Together they nurtured and loved four children, and their families. God and family were the most important things to Sterling - and you could tell that from his talk and his walk.
In his youth, he was an adventurer who had some unusual work experience. He was a cook at Mesa Verda National Park, a laborer in the oil fields of New Mexico and in the Molybdenum mine at Climax, CO, and he also tried his hand at being a seismic surveyor. One thing is clear, he liked trying new things, and he brought vim and vigor to ever task. Hard work was a constant in Sterling's life; especially, as he and his bride built a small cattle farm in Milford, Missouri, where the clay and rocks were a challenge, but could NEVER defeat Sterling's patience and perseverance.
Sterling proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps Reserves for eight years, from 1959 to 1967.
The transformative power of Jesus mellowed Sterling into the kindest, most thoughtful, doting husband, father, and grandpa. He was a fount of wisdom to his family. He was known to give speeches at every family gathering, ride mustangs (yes, the horses), be an active Mason member, and care about the fate of the USA. He drove a truck over the road for a time and he loved seeing his great nation.
Sterling was known to drive like he was auditioning for Nascar. His family *might* have inherited that trait, but they also inherited the value of family that he instilled in them. He left behind a powerful legacy of love.
Sterling is survived by one son, Shannon (Dana) Martin; two daughters, Leisa (Lendon) Blanchard and Shawna (Tom) Ryan; one Son-In-Law, Clifford Blanchard; 19 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mildred; his parents; his sister, Lodema Hendrickson; his brother, George Martin, his half-brother, Luke Martin; his daughter, Klaashia Blanchard; and his grandson, Dakota Blanchard.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 15, 2025, at the Christian Church in Lamar, MO.
In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested and may be made payable to the local VFW Post 3691 in care of Daniel Funeral Home.
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