Summary
John R. “Big Dick” Martin, age 70, a lifelong Beaver Island resident and commercial fisherman, died at Charlevoix Hospital on January 16, 1974. Funeral services were held January 17 at St. Mary’s Church; the notice said burial would be in Holy Cross Cemetery on Beaver Island.
Evidence and limits
The January notice confirms the funeral report but only announces the cemetery interment as planned. The matching name, “Dick” nickname, island residence, commercial-fishing occupation, and age progression make the 1947 John R. “Dick” Martin arson-defendant record strongly consistent with this obituary record; the bridge remains editorial and is not a civil identity record.
Open questions
- Can a cemetery register or civil record confirm the Holy Cross interment?
- What records establish Martin’s full birth, military, fishing, and family history?
See also
Sources
- Beaver Beacon, January 1974, “John R. Martin.”Reports John R. “Big Dick” Martin, age 70, a lifelong Beaver Island resident and commercial fisherman, died January 16 at Charlevoix Hospital; funeral services were held January 17 at St. Mary’s Church with Rev. E. Francis Denay, while burial in Holy Cross Cemetery was stated as planned and is not independently confirmed.
- Beaver Beacon, May–June 1974, “Graveside Services.”Reports graveside services for John R. Martin at Holy Cross Cemetery on May 17, confirming the spring burial announced in January but not supplying a cemetery register or plot record.