Eleanor Janet Martin, 94, of Pace, Florida, passed away on January 19, 2018.


Mrs. Martin was born in Chicago, Illinois, and had resided in the Pace area for the past 23 years.


Mrs. Martin was the eldest child of five, born to Martin Peter Szlaga and Catherine Gorcowski Szlaga. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star.

Mrs. Martin was a United States W. A. C. Veteran having served in London and Paris attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. She later went on to serve her country in the United States Civil Service in the Naval Attaché Office in Japan, where she met her future husband, Col Lawrence L. Martin. After twelve years of marriage, Col. Martin passed away and Mrs. Martin then went to serve in the United States Intelligence Department, in Spain and Guatemala. While in Spain, she finished her Master’s Degree. She later was also employed with the College of the Desert in the Bi-Lingual Program and then as a Student Counselor.

Mrs. Martin is survived by two sisters, Mary Ann Franczyk, of Iowa, and Catherine (Carl) Bahr, of Arkansas; numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and friends.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Martin will be held at 4:00 p.m., on Friday, January 26, 2018, at the Lewis Funeral Home, Pace Chapel, with Rev. Mike Poston officiating.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., on Friday, January 26, 2018, prior to services.

Burial will be held at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery with military honors.