Martin Joyce, Jr

Martin A. Joyce, Jr., 75, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, passed away Tuesday, January 27, 2009, at the Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio May 1, 1933, to the late Martin A. and Emma V. (Edmonson) Joyce.

He is survived by his companion, Harriette Edwards of Bellefontaine; a son, Martin (Dana) Joyce of Sheffield Village, Ohio; 4 brothers, Robert (Elizabeth) Joyce of Cleveland, Ohio, Thomas (Betty) Joyce of Wadsworth, Ohio, Michael (Sandra) Joyce of Valley City, Ohio, and James Joyce of Cleveland; 4 sisters, Patricia (Sam) Oldfield of Medina, Ohio, Rosemary Kepke of Brunswick, Ohio, Carol (Ted) Peffer of Strongsville, Ohio, and Nora (Terry) Fairbanks of Brunswick, Ohio; 5 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He worked for the railroad as an engineer for 42 years and retired in 1994. A United States Army veteran, serving in the Korean War, he was the local chairman for the United Transportation Union for 32 years, a member of the 2009 Democratic National Committee and an avid reader and historian. He was the original designer of the Buckeye Shield, a reflector sign for railroad notification.

A graveside service will be held at 1:30 pm Friday, January 30, 2009, at the Fairview Cemetery in West Liberty, Ohio, with Pastor Bill Walker officiating. There will be Military Services at the cemetery by the Logan County Honor Guard.

The family has asked that memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105-1942

The staff of the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine handled the arrangements.

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