Marlin “Spike” Martin

Marlin “Spike” Martin

Marlin “Spike” Eric Martin, 70, of Columbia Falls, passed away Feb. 1, 2009, because of heart problems.

He was born Nov. 23, 1938, in Glasgow, 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 in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Spike graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1957.

After graduation, Spike worked for Stoltze Land & Lumber Co. He married Karen Davidson on Nov. 10, 1962. He started working for the Anaconda Aluminum Co. as a brick mason in 1964. 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 Martin and wife Lori and their children Scott and Derek, of Whitefish, and Steve Martin and wife Shelly and their children Austin and Natasha, of Columbia Falls; sisters Glenda Price, of Fortine, Susan Bengston and husband Chuck, of West Glacier, and Chris Dose and husband Gene, of Denton; brother Roger Martin, of Columbia Falls; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held Feb. 6, 2009, at Columbia Mortuary.