Martin Charles Backer

Martin Charles Backer, was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Harriet Belle (nee Braudrick) and Erwin Charles Backer on June 14, in the year of our Lord, 1919. On Friday, January 22, 2010 at the age of 90 years, 7 months, 8 days he was called home to heaven and transferred to the Kingdom of Glory. Martin was his mother's youngest child and only son. He had four older step-sisters, Bessie Higdon, Myrtle Phillips, Hazel Helfrich and Delcie Maechling from his mother's first marriage and one older step-sister, Gladys Helmers from his father's first marriage. All have preceded him in death. He left school in the tenth grade to obtain work during the Great Depression. In 1940 he married the love of his life, Edith Lorraine Tuttle in Seattle, Washington. The newlyweds returned to St. Louis to live during the first few weeks of marriage. During WWII Martin worked for Curtis-Wright Aricraft, where he ran a drill press. He retired from McDonnell Douglas in 1983 as a Branch Manager. Martin is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-nine years, Lorraine; three sons, his first son, Lewis and his wife Kathleen of Tucson, Arizona; his second son, David and his wife Tresa of Sedalia, Missouri; and his third son, Gary and his wife Donna of St. Charles, Missouri; six grandchildren: Kimberly and her husband Steve Van Kley of Tucson, Arizona, Jeffrey and his wife Kathy Backer of Lakeland, Tennessee, Matthew Backer of Sedalia, Missouri, Michael and his wife Maeve Backer of Sedalia, Missouri, Timothy Backer of Phoenix, Arizona and Andrew Backer of Columbia, Missouri; and seven great-grandchildren: Patrick Backer, Brian Van Kley, Alex Backer, Jessica Van Kley, Alyssa Backer, Valarie Backer and Arianna Backer. Martin's loving and Godly presence will be missed by all. Martin was a life-long member of Hope Church. He joyfully and faithully served the Lord all the days of his life. The Scripture passage II Timothy 4:7: "I have fough the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" summarizes Martin's life. He is now enjoying the glories of heaven and rejoicing in his Savior's presence. Visitation is on Saturday, January 30, 2010 from 10:30 a.m. until the start of the funeral at 12:30 p.m. at Hope Church in Berkeley, Missouri. Burial at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the General Fund of Hope Church, 4200 Brown Road, Berkeley, Missouri 63134.