Marlin Martin

Marlin “Spike” Eric Martin, 70, of Columbia Falls, passed away Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, due to heart problems. He was born Nov. 23, 1938, in Glasgow. He was the oldest of five children born to Arnot “Fuzzy” and Mabel (Moen) Martin.

Spike lived in Glasgow until 1950 when the family moved to Columbia Falls and settled in Half Moon. During his high school years, he worked for Clifford Loftum as a service station attendant and spent his summers working for Herman Lucke as a backpacker into the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Spike graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1957.

After graduation, Spike worked for Stoltze Lumber Company and married Karen Davidson on Nov. 10, 1962. In 1964, he started with the Anaconda Aluminum Company as a brick mason. During this time, he also worked as a part-time police officer and served eight years with the National Guard in Whitefish as a sergeant. Spike retired from the aluminum plant in 1994.

Spike enjoyed working with his hands and used his skills to build a family home on LaSalle and make many leather and woodworking projects.

Spike is survived by his wife, Karen, of Columbia Falls; sons, Eric with wife, Lori, and their sons Scott and Derek of Whitefish, and Steve with wife, Shelly, and their children, Austin and Natasha of Columbia Falls; sisters, Glenda Price of Fortine, Susan and Chuck Bengston of West Glacier, and Chris and Gene Dose of Denton; brother, Roger Martin of Columbia Falls; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Friday, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.

Arrangements are with the Columbia Mortuary.