John Kurtz Martin

John K. Martin, age 101, passed away peacefully Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Trillium Place, Lancaster. He was born March 3, 1924 to the late Clayton C. and Elizabeth (Kurtz) Martin. November 1946 he was married to Mary B. Hurst. His wife of 44 years, Mary, preceded him in death in November 1991. His second wife, Esther B. Kurtz of 21 years, preceded him in death June 2016. 

He is survived by five sons, Glenn H. of York (Mildred), Eugene H. of Lancaster, Kenneth H. of Elizabethtown, Nelson H. of Westfield (Christine), and J. Stanley H. of Elizabethtown (Susan); 12 grandchildren; and 19 great grandchildren; four step-daughters and one step-son, Mary Jane Myer (Dennis) of Lewiston, ME, Marian Auker (Kevin), and Esther Mae Martin (Kenneth) both of Denver, Betty Eberly (Darrell) New Holland, Gerald Kurtz (Sharon), Charleston, SC. Also two step-daughters-in-law, Cheryl Kurtz, Ephrata and Sharon Kurtz, Narvon; 29 step-grandchildren; 87 step-great-grandchildren; and 9 step-great-great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, and first and second wives, he was preceded in death by siblings, Harvey K., Ellis K., Aaron K., Ammon K., Allen K., Edna Martin, Mary (Zimmerman) Witmer, Nora High. Also great granddaughter, Megan Martin; and two step-sons, David Kurtz and Lester Kurtz.

John lived his life as a disciple of Jesus. His occupations were farming, real estate agent, elder & minister of visitation at Grace Chapel. John also served as a chaplain at the Ephrata Hospital for ten years. He was most recently a member of Green Terrace Mennonite Church.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026 at 10AM at Elizabethtown Mennonite Church, 300 South Spruce Street, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. Burial will follow in the Elizabethtown Mennonite Cemetery, Elizabethtown, PA. A viewing will take place on Thursday, January 22, 2026 from 6-8PM at Miller-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, 130 North Market Street, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. A second viewing will be held on Friday, January 23, from 9AM until the time of service, at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trillium Place Benevolent Care Endowment Fund, 2001 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601.