Obituary of Lloyd Milton Martin

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With sadness, we announce the death of our father, Lloyd Milton Martin on Friday June 27, 2025. Lloyd was born on January 8, 1929, to Eli and Lauretta Martin. On December 26, 1953, he married the love of his life, Delphine Horst, who gave him 59 years of happiness and joy, a life of meaning and partnership. Lloyd and Delphine had five children (Rick, Roger, Brad, Terry, and Jackie), eleven grandchildren, and (so far) five great-grandchildren. Lloyd is survived by two younger sisters, Delphine Wideman and Ruth Ann Bauman.

At their home in Wallenstein and the cottage on Chesley Lake, his large family was a source of pride and pleasure. Lloyd was a role model of modesty, responsibility and hard work to his children. We never knew what he wanted, because he did what we thought we wanted or needed. He was (almost) always a calm presence in a boisterous home, even when he received an emergency call to extract one of his children who found themselves in a ditch or snowbank. When son and daughters-in-law joined the family, Lloyd lovingly welcomed them.  Lloyd adored his growing brood of grandchildren and great-grandchildren and could often be seen holding and soothing the babies at family gatherings.

The other center of Lloyd’s life was his business. In 1955, he founded Lloyd Martin Feed Service in the warehouse across from the Wallenstein General store, owned by his parents. In 1958, he purchased Riverside Feed for 90,000 dollars and renamed it Wallenstein Feed & Supply. His business values were honesty, hard work, humility and outstanding customer service. He loved the feed business, especially customer service, and worked at the mill daily until age, 87. The progress of regional, provincial and national agriculture was important to Lloyd, and he served as chairman of the Canadian Feed Industry Association. Lloyd was pleased and proud that his oldest son, Rick, took over the family business and still runs it according to the values Lloyd established.

Lloyd was a lifelong member of the Mennonite church, from which he absorbed the values of hard work, humility, and community service. Lloyd was an active member of the Hawkesville Mennonite Church for many decades and a founding member of Waterloo North Mennonite Church. He served as chair of the Mennonite Credit Union and was active in the Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA).

With grief, and with appreciation, we mark the passing of a life of service to family, firm and community.

The family invites you to visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S, Waterloo, on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A funeral service will be held at Waterloo North Mennonite Church, 100 Bejamin Rd., Waterloo, on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with a reception to follow. A livestream and recording of the service will be available on Lloyd’s tribute page at www.erbgood.com.

Donations in memory of Lloyd to Hospice Wellington, Parkwood Mennonite Home Inc., and Waterloo North Mennonite Church are appreciated and may be arranged through the funeral home at 519-745-8445 or via www.erbgood.com. The family thanks the staff of Parkwood and Hospice Wellington for their kindness and compassionate care.