Francis E. "Hank" Martin, 82, of Eau Claire died Thursday, August 28, 2008, at Dove Healthcare in Eau Claire following a long courageous battle against cancer. He was born on January 21, 1926, as the eighth child of former Ladysmith, WI, residents Francis and Margaret (Strauss) Martin. \r\nHe attended Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Elementary School and Ladysmith High School where he was active in football and basketball all four years. When he graduated in May 1944 he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and served as a tail gunner on a B-29 Superfortress. He survived being shot down over the Pacific.\r\nAfter the war ended he returned to Ladysmith and married Yvonne Wouters on April 3, 1948.\r\nHe worked as an account representative for a number of companies and established his own office equipment supply company in Eau Claire. \r\nHank enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, sports, racing boats, and spending time at his cabin on the Flambeau River. As a longtime active member of the Eau Claire Elks Lodge #402 he enjoyed socializing and playing cards with his buddies, especially his lifelong best friend Hal Doughty. He was also a member of VFW Post #305.\r\nHank is survived by his three sons, Greg (Julie) Martin and Steve Martin both of Eau Claire, and Michael (Linda) Martin of Rice Lake; a grandson, Chris Martin of Eau Claire; three brothers, Joe Martin of Seneca, SC, Ben (Millie) Martin of Los Altos Hills, CA, and Louie (Chieko) Martin of Apple Valley, MN; two sisters, Rita Nelson of Holcombe and Dolores Martin of Milwaukee, WI; and many nieces and nephews.\r\nHe was preceded in death by Yvonne in 2003; his parents; three brothers, George, Dan and Jerry Martin; his sister, Betty Menne. \r\nThere will be a 6 p.m. service by Elks Lodge #402 followed with a 6:30 p.m. funeral service on Tuesday, September 2, 2008, at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, Eau Claire with Father John A. Schultz officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home where VFW Post #305 will conduct military honors. Burial will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Riverside Cemetery in Ladysmith. \r\n

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