Charles Martin

Charles William Martin, 67, of Springfield, Ill., formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009, at St. John's Hospital.

He was born March 22, 1941, in Cape Girardeau, son of Gebhard and Virginia Hoffer Martin.

Survivors include his longtime companion, Diane Marshall of Springfield; two sons, Karl R. Martin of Waterloo, Ill., Eric G. Martin of Cape Girardeau; a grandson, Shane Martin of Waterloo; two brothers, Gilbert (Patricia) Martin of Cape Girardeau, Jerome (Catherine) Martin of Carlinville, Ill.; and a sister, Anna Pluth of Columbus, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He was a graduate of Cape Catholic High School and Southeast Missouri State College and received a doctorate from St. Louis University.

Martin was a captain in the U.S. Army 10 1/2 years.

He was a member of the American Chemical Society. He worked for World Health Organization, Sigma Adrich in St. Louis, PRI of Columbia, Ill., and retired from Clean Earth Technologies LLC in Earth City, Mo. He was a research chemist and developed many patents.

A memorial gathering was held Feb. 26 at Staab Funeral Home in Springfield.

Another memorial gathering will be held in Cape Girardeau at a later date.