Beverly June Martin's Obituary
Beverly June Martin (June), 100, was welcomed into the Lord’s arms on Sunday, December 7, 2025. June was born on June 13, 1925, to Russell G. Bourdon and Thelma E. (Lachapelle) Bourdon in Muskegon, MI, the second of nine children. She married Alvin M. Martin on February 7, 1948, in Muskegon where they lived until moving to Hastings, MI in 1976. Muskegon was her home, and she had great memories of her life there, but enjoyed wonderful years in Hastings, with family, golf and traveling. During WWII she was a defense worker at Continental Motors; then worked at Meijer at various locations as a cashier until her retirement. June was a member of St. Jean’s Church in Muskegon, and St. Rose's Church in Hastings, MI. She was a devout Catholic and many knew the comfort and reassurance of her daily rosary. June was an accomplished artist, enthusiastic golfer, took 30+ years of French instruction, loved traveling, and had a lifelong, keen interest in war history, especially WWII. She was 16 years old when Pearl Harbor was attacked; and years later, with her husband, she visited the Arizona Memorial in Hawaii. As one of the Greatest Generation, she would have appreciated that her final flight was on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 2025.
She is survived by three daughters, Margaret Poort of Muskegon, MI, Marceline (Steve) Fish of Hastings, MI, and Kathleen (Dan) Tardani of Muskegon, MI; 10 sons, Stephen (Mary) Martin of Littleton, CO, John (Kathleen) Martin of Spring Lake, MI, Paul Martin of Muskegon, MI, Peter (Jana) Martin of Stuart, FL, Michael Martin of Kalamazoo, MI, William (Jan) Martin of Kaleva, MI, Jerome (Vonda) Martin of Muskegon, MI, Christopher (Trish) Martin of Kalamazoo, MI, Phillip (Glenna) Martin of Clemson, SC, and Bruce Martin of Muskegon, MI; 28 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; and 46 nieces and nephews. She is also survived by brother-in-law, James Hozer.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Alvin Max, on November 30, 2005; twin daughters Pamela and Patricia, who died shortly after birth; three grandsons, Zachary, Jacob and Luke; and son-in-law, Ronald Poort. Also preceding her were all her siblings and Alvin's siblings.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, April 24, 2026, at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444. A Rosary will be prayed prior to the service at 10:00 AM followed by Visitation. Memorial contributions can be made in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the charity of your choice. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at https://www.sytsemafh.com.
Our thanks to the wonderful staff at Roosevelt Park Nursing Home for Mom's care.
One of Mom's favorite recollections -- when she was about 7, she was 'dared' by some boys to drive the milkman's cart and horse while he was having a cup of coffee at a customer's house. So, she did, tapping the reins and clucking her tongue-- the horse moved from house to house. Mom figured it was the usual route, then the horse stopped and wouldn't move at a small grocery store. She jumped off the cart and ran back to where she started and there was the milkman -- "have you seen my horse and cart?!!!" -- she didn't miss a beat and said, "I think I saw it near the grocers.” So, here's to you, our Mother and Horse Thief Extraordinaire. Say hi to Dad for us.
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