Howard Benton Martin, 88, of Kathleen, Fla., and a longtime Butler resident, died July 21 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Florida after a short illness.

Born Oct. 4, 1915, in Gays, Ill., he was the son of Lana Fugate and Oliver Morton Martin.

He retired as superintendent of production at Pullman Standard after 35 years. After retirement, he moved to Clearwater, Fla., in 1981; and to Kathleen, in 1989. He enjoyed fishing, gardening and woodworking.

Mr. Martin was a member of the Christian Church in Lakeland and a former member of North Street Christian Church in Butler. A 32nd degree Mason, he was past master of William H. Miller Lodge 769 of Butler and was recently honored with a 50-year anniversary pin as a member of the organization. He was also a member of the Consistory of New Castle, Syria Temple of Pittsburgh and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Connoquenessing Lodge 278. He had served on the Center Township Water Board and was a member of the Pullman Standard Supervisors Club.

Surviving are his wife, Marilyn Stretch-Martin of Kathleen; daughters, Mrs. Thomas (Mary) Burns of Fort Myers Beach, Fla., Mrs. Robert (Shirley) Ross of DeBary, Fla., Mrs. Richard (Sharon) Abbott of Butler and Mrs. Frank (Joyce) Rauschenberger of Mansfield, Ohio; a son, Dr. Robert Martin of Reading; 17 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren. A brother, William D. Martin of Mattoon, Ill.; and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

His first wife, Frances Carter Martin, to whom he was married for nearly 60 years, died April 9, 1993. A granddaughter, a great-granddaughter, a brother and two sisters also preceded him in death.

MARTIN - A memorial service celebrating the life of Howard Benton Martin, who died Wednesday, July 21, 2004, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at North Street Christian Church. The Rev. Robert Huber will officiate. Burial was at Butler County Memorial Park & Mausoleum, Butler Township.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in care of Masonic Charity's, William H. Miller Lodge F&AM, 346 S. Main St., Butler, PA. 16001.