Erman Duane Martindale

Marty Martindale, 81, of Shelley passed away November 17, 2011 at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

He was born February 12, 1930 at Oakley, Idaho to Stanley Earl and Nettie L. Frost Martindale the youngest of nine children.  He graduated from Oakley High School in 1948.

He entered the Army December 2, 1948.  He went to basic training at Fort Ord, California.  He was stationed in Germany in March 1949.  He was assigned to the 6

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Armored Calvary U.S. Constabulary Headquarters Company Security Platoon.  He returned to the U.S. and was discharged in June 1952.

He went to telegraph school in Nampa and hired out to the Union Pacific Railroad in 1953, retiring in 1989.

After retiring from the railroad, he drove for C.A.R.T. bus for 10 years and Aschliman Living Center helping the handicapped.

He married Augusta Francheska Christina Victoria Woltez in Calgary, Canada on March 7, 1953.  Caroline Renee Martindale was born from this marriage.  They later divorced in 1973.  He later married Joan Tater Settles in February 1976, bringing her six children to the family.  He became known as “Grandpa Tater”.

He was known for always having a canine companion and loved to read and collect Idaho history and western books.  He was an amazing man with some of the greatest stories.  He lived a life full of experiences.  Many of his experiences came with some questionable stories.  He had the gift of gab and was a master story teller.  He would have everyone on the edge of their seats with his stories, and then there would be a twist to his story and you would realize he had been telling the most elaborate tale that was one long joke.  After years of this you started to question even the most simple of stories, he would still reel you in every time.  Everyone had their favorite stories.

He had a contagious laugh that was full and rich.  He was a traveler and a camper.  He taught us some of the joys of camping and shared his love of dutch oven cooking with anyone who had an appetite.  Some of our favorite memories came from time spent with this mountain of a man, also some of our favorite recipes.

No one was ready for him to go, but we all know that he will be watching over us and that we will all see him again soon enough.  While we are all grieving the loss of this amazing man, we are also remembering all the good times.

He is survived by his wife, Joan; and children, Caroline Hemsley, Steve Settles, Jodi (Dwain) Gotch, Spence Settles, Rand Settles, Jayna (Wayne) Wareing, and Jillene (Tom) Barnhart, 15 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

At his request the family will be holding a private service.