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Martin L. Pearsall Caney, KS QCWA # 19506 Chapter 79 |
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A lifelong Caney resident and community booster, M.L. Pearsall, 70, died Friday, Jan. 3, 1992, in the Forest Manor Nursing Home, Dewey, where he had resided for less than 24 hours. Pearsall had been seriously ill for several months.
Funeral services were held Monday in the First Christian Church with Rev. Charles Million officiating. Burial was in the Sunnyside Cemetery under the direction of Graves Funeral Home.
Full military rites were given by U.S. Army pall bearers, a color guard, firing squad, and bugler from the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, Fort Riley, Kansas.
Martin Lebo Pearsall was born April 5, 1921, in Caney to Lester John and Beatrice (Kretsinger) Pearsall. Martin was named after his grandfather Martin Kretsinger. He attended Caney schools and graduated with the Caney High School class of 1939.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II with Company B, 410th Infantry, and was wounded in action in France on November 29, 1944. He earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, in addition to numerous other medals of commendation. He spent two years in military hospitals and was finally retired disabled at the rank of Captain in 1947.
Pearsall then returned to Caney where he took over operation of the family-owned Pearsall Elevator which he managed for 10 years. He was nominated by U.S. Congressman Myron V. George, then appointed by President Harry Truman as Caney Postmaster in 1952 and he continued to serve in that capacity for 32 years before his retirement.
On September 27, 1942, he was married in Caney to Polly Bridenstine and she survives at the home, 100 W. 7th, Caney.
Pearsall was a member of the First Christian Church, Caney, where he had served as pianist and organist, and was a member of the church choir, also singing in a men's gospel quartet.
He was a member of the Caney Lions Club, Caney Chamber of Commerce, Caney Golf Club, Caney Masonic Lodge No. 324, Past Commander of the Ernest Brown American Legion Post No. 138, and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 138, and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9768, Caney. He was instrumental in starting the Avenue of Flags now displayed each Memorial Day. He was actively involved in many Veterans Day celebrations, and held a leadership role on behalf of Veterans in the Caney centennial celebration in 1971.
He retained his status in the U.S. Army Reserves until his death.
M.L. Pearsall was a ham radio operator (KOJFX) for 35 years and talked on his radio as late as last week. As a ham, he was a member of many networks and maintained close friendships by radio throughout the country.
As a young man in Caney, M.L. earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. As an adult, he continued his interest in Scouting, working with local Boy Scouts and as a leader in the Meadowlark Council of Girl Scouts.
He is survived by his wife, Polly, of the home: three daughters, Dianne Cornell, Sacramento, Calif.; Cynthia Kirkpatrick, Spindale, North Carolina; and Sherry Doty, Bartlesville; in addition to five grandchildren and one great-grandson, and numerous other nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Lester Pearsall Jr., who died in service to his country in World War II.
Memorials are being made in his memory to the First Christian Church Music Department or the Scholarship Fund of the Church.
