Orla Martin

Coffeyville resident, Orla Elwin Junior Martin, Jr., entered into eternal rest on Thursday, September 6, 2007 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was 89. Orla was born in Coffeyville, Kansas on January 27, 1918 to Orla Erwin and Julia Ann Smith Martin. He graduated from Field Kindley High School and later attended and graduated from the University of Chicago. In March of 1940, Orla enlisted in the United Stated Air Force at Fort MacArthur. He married Bonnie Loretta Taylor on November 15, 1948 in Chicago, Illinois. Orla served as a pilot in the US Air Force for 32 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1974. He had received numerous medals during his years of service. He served in the India-China-Burma theater during WWII and later flew supplies into Berlin during the Berlin Air Lift. He also served in both the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War as a pilot. He was also employed for 10 years with the F.A.A. During his military career, Orla was stationed many places including Bossier City, Louisianna, Cocoa Beach, FL, Tucson, AZ, and Bethany, OK. Upon retiring from the military, he returned to Coffeyville with his family in 1974 where he lived until 2005 when he and Bonnie moved to the Tulsa area. He was a member of the Mirza Shrine, Masons 102, Yorkrite, Blue Lodge, Coffeyville Shrine, OX-5 Aviation Pioneers, as well as a life member of V.F.W. Post 1022 in Coffeyville and the Retired Officers Association. Mr. Martin is survived by his wife, Bonnie, of the home; daughters, Rebecca Anne Martin of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Jeanne Renee Bever of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; son, Mark Elwin Martin of Midwest City, Oklahoma; sister Josephine Bingham of Houston, Texas; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Marcie M. Martin; brother, Lloyd Martin and two sisters, Esther and Ethel. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, September 10, 2007 at Penwell-Gabel Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel. The Reverend Bill Booe of the Liberty Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will follow at Penwell-Gabels Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. McConnell Air force Base will accord military honors. Friends may call on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Penwell-Gabel Ford-Wulf-Bruns Funeral Home to sign the guest register. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com