Martin E. Van Geison

Martin Van Geison was a quiet, soft-spoken man who tried each day to bring happiness into the lives of his customers, friends, and beloved family. Although he walked very softly, his generosity and compassion left indelible imprints in the hearts of many. His life wasn't always easy, yet he was always grateful for all his many blessings. We were so blessed to have known him.

With a victorious end to the Great War, the 1920s emerged as a time for celebration. In Battle Creek, Michigan, Charles Van Geison and his wife Maude Martin discovered another, more personal reason to celebrate. On November 10, 1922, they were blessed with the healthy birth of their first child, Martin.

The elder of two children, Martin grew up in Battle Creek with the company of his sister Joan, who was six years his junior. His father battled health problems, yet provided for the family through his job as a time keeper and other odd jobs, while his mother looked after the house and raised the children. Times were exceptionally tough during those days, during the start of the Great Depression, and Martin's family was hit very hard. So as soon as he became old enough, 13, Martin took on a paper route delivering the Battle Creek Enquirer, to help out. He was a shy, quiet child, who was always more content to build his model airplanes than to play sports or other activities. He graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1940. A few months before receiving his diploma, his father passed away. To help out with family finances, Martin took a part-time job at the National Cash Register Co, while he attended business school in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo.

In January of 1942, a friend sent Martin on a blind date with Janet Smith. She remembers that Martin was very shy, and she initially doubted that there would be a second date between them. But when he sent her a postcard asking her out again, she quickly began to develop feelings for him. Over the next few months, their feelings for each other grew into a deep love.

In June of this same year, Martin enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, wanting to become a pilot. He attended flight school, some of the happiest days of his life, yet like so many, didn't make the final cut. During the thirty-nine months that he spent in the service, he and Janet stayed as close as ever by writing letters to each other. She also visited him in Illinois and Texas before he was shipped overseas. When she visited him in Texas, she rode the train with his mother and sister, as they endured record heat. Janet lost 14 pounds that week, and as Martin said, "She didn't have it to lose!" But it was worth it to see him again.

Martin was shipped overseas to Africa in November of '43, followed by Italy for the next 22 months. In August of 1945, Martin's platoon was being prepared to be sent to Japan, when the war suddenly ended, with the atomic bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

The next month he was discharged and sent home, back to Michigan, and back to his lovely Janet. Just three short months later, on a brutally cold yet beautifully sunny December 22nd, he and Janet were married at the First United Methodist Church in Hastings. A reception followed in the church dining room, where a lovely three-tiered cake, made by Janet's mother, was served with ice cream.

On the day of their wedding, Janet lost her voice (she could still say 'I do,' however), and by the time they arrived in Chicago for their honeymoon, she could hardly swallow. Janet was sick throughout the Christmas holiday. By the time she and Martin left Chicago, he had decided that he never wanted to return. Although this wasn't the honeymoon that Martin and Janet envisioned, their time in Chicago paved the way toward a happy marriage that would last sixty wonderful years.

Upon returning to Michigan, Martin began working for Montgomery Wards, where he was frequently transferred, while Janet worked for a local pharmacist. She was a student too, and she encouraged Martin to join her by going back to school. He followed her advice, but he soon became very ill with a spot on his lung and had his left kidney removed. Martin spent nearly a year in a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients in two six-month stints, which was very hard on him and his young bride, yet he persevered. After his health recovered, he finished his schooling and started working at White and White in downtown Grand Rapids. "Thus began my 40 years of pill-pushing," Martin always joked.

After managing a store for several years, he eventually became the owner of two: Professional Pharmacy and Apothecary Shop. When the large pharmacies came into town, Martin closed his stores and began working in the pharmacy of DW in Gaslight Village as well as Ramona Medical Arts.

Martin and Janet settled down at the house on 1343 Ellsmere Street where they were blessed with four children. Jean was born in 1953, followed by Ruth in 1955, and Beth in 1959. Their baby boy, born in 1957, died shortly after his birth. Martin was a peaceful, kind-hearted father. He was so gentle that he wouldn't even kill a fly in the house. To his three girls, he was always patient, very quiet, and maybe even a bit of an old softy. Every summer the family went on vacation, usually for an entire week. Their travel destinations often carried some historical significance. Martin was a true history buff, and he was eager to share his knowledge with his girls. The family toured the East and the South, spending most of their time camping. They also traveled within Michigan to camping destinations such as Muskegon State Park and Taquamonan Falls.

Martin enjoyed jazz, gospel, and big band music. He loved to play the harmonica, especially when his daughter Beth accompanied him. O Holy Night and Moon River were their favorites to play together. Martin was an active and faithful member of Second Congregational Church UCC for over 49 years, where he sang in the choir as a second bass. He was one of only a handful of people who have perfect pitch.

After Martin and Janet retired, they found more time to spend together. While Janet tended to the garden, Martin would keep her company by doing his woodworking. He built many picnic baskets and recently started constructing larger furniture. Martin continued to enjoy his model trains, planes, and cars, a hobby that had followed him from his early childhood. He liked to spend time outdoors, especially if he was golfing or fishing. He frequently volunteered as a driver for the Ronald McDonald house, until his health prevented him from helping. Although he was absolutely unable to cook, Martin always loved a good meal followed by a sweet dessert. His favorite treats were German Chocolate Cake and Tin Roof ice cream.

In his later life Martin was pleased to see his family grow with the blessing of grandchildren. He attended every single one of his grandchildren's sporting events, recitals, and performances. They called him Bubba, a nickname he grew to enjoy.

Throughout his life, Martin always kept his family in the center of his heart. He and Janet were married for sixty years. We understood give-and-take, Janet recalls. He would give, I would take. These sixty years provided Martin with many happy moments that his family will continue to cherish. Ruth remembers working with her father at the pharmacy, where he exuded compassion and generosity for his customers. All three of his daughters remember watching Huckleberry Hound together on Wednesdays at seven o'clock-Martin was the loudest laugher among them! Janet recalls the early years of their marriage, when Martin would repose on his easy chair and smoke his pipe. As soon as his lit up, the family dog Bessie would jump onto his lap.

Martin was a quiet, peaceful man, a man who treated all those around him with compassion, dignity and respect. He didn't always have it easy, yet he overcame every hurdle through his uncommon character and perseverance. He was very grateful for his life's many blessings, yet not as blessed as we are to have known him. He will be greatly missed and frequently remembered.

Martin died on Friday, March 10, 2006. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Maude Van Geison and an infant son. Martin is survived by his wife of 60 years, Janet; children, Jean Sizemore, Ruth (Russ) Ainslie, and Elizabeth (Mark) Vanderson; grandchildren, Lindsay (Daniel) Lundberg, Heather (Adam) Roszkowski, Kyle Welmers, Megan (Jake) Manne, Emily (Ryan) Miersma, Sarah Vanderson, and Katelyn Vanderson. Also surviving are his sister, Joan (Theron) King; sisters-in-law, Doris Covey and Joan Kasinsky; several cousins, nieces, and nephews; and many special friends. Martin was an active and faithful member of Second Congregational Church UCC, where a memorial service will be held at 7 P.M. on Friday, March 17, 2006 with Rev. Scott Davis, Rev. Bonita Zobeck, and Rev. Mark Vanderson officiating. Relatives and friends may meet his family at the church on Thursday from 6-8 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Second Congregational UCC Music Department or Holland Home Hospice would be appreciated. The family wishes to thank the staff of Holland Home - Raybrook Manor for their compassionate care of our husband, father, and grandfather. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory, sign the guestbook, or post a memorial contribution.