Joan Martin

Joan Bertha (nee Harl) Martin, 87, of Fleet Landing, Atlantic Beach, Florida died peacefully on April 29, 2021, with family members present.  Her battles with the struggles of this world are over and she is now in the presence of her Savior!  “Jo” (the name she was lovingly known by to her many friends) and her husband Phil celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary June 25, 2020.

Jo was the first born of the late John Weaver Harl and Clara Louise (nee Rochée) Harl on September 15, 1933 in their Ruby Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania home.

She was the oldest of 3 daughters, graduated from Stroudsburg High School in 1951, and Temple University School of Nursing in 1955.  Jo met Dr. Philip Martin during this time as he was completing his medical studies at Temple University Hospital. They were married June 25, 1955 and then joined the US Navy with Phil commissioned as a Lieutenant. Throughout their Navy service they were stationed in numerous locations. Hawaii, California, Florida & Texas.

After serving our country in the United States Navy Phil went into private OB/GYN practice and hospital administration in Stroudsburg, PA., Jo’s childhood home.  This allowed Jo to utilize her fabulous gifts of hospitality to their fullest potential in a multitude of areas.

After their children were out of the house, they desired to return back into the military but instead of going into the Navy, he went into the US Air Force.  This provided more travel and locations to the long list of homes that Jo successfully created for her family. They served in Mississippi, South Korea, New Mexico & Georgia where Phil retired as a Colonel.

Jo is remembered as always having a smile, a kind word, and a willingness to help whenever someone was in need.  She loved music, including singing.  A favorite was singing alto in trios with her younger sisters! She enjoyed connecting with various friends, missionaries, and other Navy and Air Force coworkers from around the world, opening their home and providing hospitality to all.

She is known for sharing encouragement with her often used proclamation “God is good, all the time & all the time, God is good"!

Jo was preceded to heaven by the death of both of her parents.  She is survived by her husband Phil, son Philip lll (wife Susan) and daughter Beth Ann (husband Jim Newell), 4 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 2 sisters, Clara Louise and Susanna.

She will be greatly missed, but we rejoice knowing Jo’s suffering is over and that we will be with her again one day.   Jo enjoyed studying the Word of God and often referred to many verses that especially touched her heart.  One such verse was Matthew 28:18-20.

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, all authority has been given to me in heaven and earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Jo’s Memorial Service to be Saturday 7:00 PM, May 15th, 2021 in the Chapel of Quinn Shalz Funeral Home.