Ralph Edward Martin

Ralph E. Martin, 73, died December 1, 2015 at his residence. He was the husband of Shirley L. (Tracey) Martin. Together they shared 47 wonderful years of marriage. A public viewing will be held from 11 a.m. until the funeral service which will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 5 at J.J. Hartenstein Mortuary, Inc., 24 N. Second St., New Freedom. The Rev. Larry W. Wilson will officiate. Interment is private. Ralph was born on October 9, 1942 in Hampstead, Md., son of the late Margaret Irene (Phillips) and Ralph E. Martin, Sr. Ralph attended elementary school in Hampstead then moved to Baltimore County where he graduated from Hereford High School. He joined the U.S. Marines in 1963 and did two tours in the Vietnam War and ended his service as a Staff Sergeant. Ralph was a long time member and supporter of the VFW. He went on to retire from the AAI Corporation where he was a test engineer. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Steven and Brian Martin; daughter-in-law, Erin Nixon; two granddaughters, Michaela and Cecelia; three siblings, John Hoover, Patricia Jones and Judy Pearce. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1893, Memphis, TN 38101-9950. J.J. Hartenstein Mortuary, Inc., New Freedom, is in charge of arrangements.