Wallace J. Martens, 96, of Turpin, Oklahoma passed away June 29, 2012 at Wheatridge Park Care Center in Liberal, Kansas.

Wallace John Martens was born April 19, 1916 at a home in Fairview, Oklahoma, the son of John M. and Anna M. Wichert Martens. This is where he attended school and grew up. He came to live with his uncle, Jake Wichert in Adams, Oklahoma. He slept in the elevator and work for a time at Dudley Mires store. This is where he met Mildred Harr. He returned to Fairview and worked in Enid at the Helms Amusement Park.

He was united in marriage to Mildred Lucille Harr on July 6, 1938 in Guymon, Oklahoma, they made their home in Enid. In 1939, they moved to Cheyenne Valley and in1941 to the Piper place in Fairview. In May of 1945 they bought their ranch near Turpin.

As a teen he accepted Christ and was baptized by his uncle Jake Martens. Wallace was ordained as a deacon in 1953 at the Adams Baptist Church. He was a charter member of the Turpin Baptist Church and he led the first service. He served as chairman of the deacons, was Sunday school director, taught RA’s for many years and was a long time supporter of Oklahoma Baptist Children Home. During many summers he would have boys from the children’s home live and work on the ranch. He was a supporter of the Gideon’s and the NRA.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Harrison and his wife Mildred on February 9, 2004.

Wallace is survived by his three daughters, Jolene Love and her husband, “Bud” of Satanta, Kansas, Karen Bergen and her husband Verlyn of Jefferson City, MO, and Betty Hollman and her husband Terryl of Turpin, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren, Michael Love, Marvin Love, John Love, Vonda Davis, Jeremy Bergen, Jason Abel, Nathan Abel, Jenna Herman, Dana Hollman; eighteen great grandchildren and eight great great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 2, 2012 at the Turpin Baptist Church in Turpin, Oklahoma with Rev. Jason Loggins officiating. Interment will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens in Liberal, Kansas directed by Roberts Brothers Funeral Home, Inc. in Hooker, Oklahoma.

Memorials are suggested to the Oklahoma Baptist Children’s Home and may be left at Roberts Brothers Funeral Home, Box 745, Hooker, Oklahoma, 73945.

Condolences may be left at www.robertsbrothersfuneralhome.com