Roger B. Martin

Roger B. Martin, age 80, of Lancaster, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 15, 2021, at Grant Regional Health Center in Lancaster. He was born July 13, 1941, in Beetown Township, the son of Bernard and Mary (Kirschbaum) Martin. Roger graduated eighth grade from Five Points rural school, and from Lancaster High School in 1959. He attended the University of Wisconsin – Platteville and farmed with his parents. On June 13, 1964, Roger was united in marriage to Linda M. Wilkins at the Platteville United Methodist Church. Together they fulfilled their dream in operating Martin Farms at Five Points, rural Lancaster. In 1975, they were honored as the Jaycees Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year. Roger and Linda received many years of recognition for high quality milk production from Mississippi Valley, Swiss Valley, and Prairie Farms Cooperatives. In 1999, they were co-hosts of Wisconsin Farm Progress Days and awarded the WGLR 2019 Farm Family of the Year. Roger was proud of his family, farms, and the fact that their three grandsons helped with the farm chores and fieldwork. Ian, Garrett and Brennen, are great company, hard workers, and brought him much joy. Roger enjoyed many years of snowmobiling, canoeing, collecting John Deere toy machinery, travelling, and attending his grandson's sports activities. He had a quick wit and a great sense of humor. Roger was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend who will be dearly missed.
Surviving is his loving wife of 57 years, Linda; a son, Greg (Stacy) Martin; a daughter, Kristi (Tom) Gildersleeve; three grandsons: Ian Martin, Garrett, and Brennen Gildersleeve; three sister-in-laws: Mary Wilkins, Ann (John) Van De Wiel, and Kay Wilkins; nieces, nephews, and the Kirschbaum cousins.
In addition to his parents, Bernard and Mary, Roger was preceded in death by an infant brother, Gregory Cletus; his father and mother-in-law: Neal and Ruth Wilkins; and a brother-in-law, Gary Wilkins.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 20, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Lancaster. Burial will be in the Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster. Family and friends may call on Thursday, August 19, 2021, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home and on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services. A Roger Martin memorial fund has been established with proceeds being given to local charities.