Fernando M. "Fred" Martinez, 77, of Clermont, FL, died Friday, January 26, 2024, at his home.
Mr. Martinez was born on Monday, Dec. 9, 1946, in Chicago, the son of Fidel and Alice (nee Fisher) Martinez. Fred was born in Chicago, and grew up there.
Mr. Martinez attended St. Michael’s Central High School and graduated in 1966. He served in the U.S. Army from Nov. 2, 1966 to Nov. 1, 1968 and was involved with Vietnam in 1967 to 1968 during the TET Offensive. After the service he started with the U.S. Postal Service. Mr. Martinez moved to Highland in 1981. He was a superintendent in O’Fallon, IL, supervisor in St. Louis, and worked as a letter carrier for 18 years, and postmaster in Hillsboro. He retired with 34.5 years in 2001.
Mr. Martinez was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, St. Louis Pony Express, V.F.W. Post #5694 in Highland, N.A.P.U.S., Korte Recreational Center in Highland, UPMA Gold (United Postmasters and Managers of America) and Eagles in Clermont, FL.
Mr. Martinez enjoyed playing music on bass guitar, fishing and hunting. He met Cathy Rakers in June of 2019. They enjoyed traveling and cruising together. He enjoyed making and decorating mini-dollhouses.
Survivors include his fiancee, Cathy L. Rakers; daughters Brandy L. (Mark) Tully and Dana Martinez; grandchildren Reid J. Tiemann, Gillian E. Trover, Joseph Cameron, Alyssa Cameron, Adam Cameron, Jessica Cameron and Mykayla Arbogast; fiancee's daughter Misty (Ryan) Menossi and fiancee's son Lenny P. (Brooke) Rakers.
He was preceded in death by his father Fidel Martinez and mother Alice Fisher Martinez; wife Sharron A. Owens Martinez, stepsons Glen "Dino" Hall and Randall Hall in infancy; brothers Fidel Martinez and Enrique Martinez and sisters Lamar Garcia, Martha Williams and Mary Ann Berry.
Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland. Funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland, with the Rev. Fr. Pat G. Jakel officiating. Interment will be at Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Highland.
Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland.
Memorial contributions may be made to Highland Animal Shelter.
