Karl John Albert Martin

October 18, 1956 – August 19, 2025

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Karl John Albert Martin: Died August 19,2025, at Banner Gateway Hospital in Gilbert, Arizona. His funeral Mass will be at Our Lady of Guadalupe, 20615 E Ocotillo Rd, Queen Creek, AZ, 85142. He will have a small ceremony at the San Tan Memorial Gardens Cemetery and Mausoleum at 22425 E. Cloud Rd, Queen Creek, AZ, 85142, with a date yet to be determined.

He was born on October 18, 1956, in Evergreen Park, IL, to parents, Albert and Margaret Martin.

He married Ellen Battle Drish on December 31, 1994, (30+ years) and they each brought a son into their marriage. Jason Joseph Martin and Jason Joseph Drish.

Karl is survived by his wife, Ellen, son Jason Martin, sister Karen (Martin) Neiheisel, brother-in-Law Rich Neiheisel and his brother Robert Mack. His sisters-in-law, Monica Battle and Cathy (Battle) Rizzo, brother-in-law Tom Battle and sister-in-law Cathy Battle, and his sister-in-law, Song Battle. His nieces and nephews: Renee, Kevin, (Shellie), Denna (Kevin), Belinda (Brad), Donna, Michelle, Peter (Jaime), Jenny (Ben), Sondra, David, Jack, and Mark. His great Nieces and great nephews, Nick, Kaitlyn (Thaddeus), Ryan, LeeAnn, Abigail, Sydney (David), Aiden, Christian, Savanah, Patrick, Grace, Michael, Peter, Josh, Lilia, and Everlee. Great great niece and nephews Jameson, Clover, and Oliver.

He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Albert and Margaret Martin, his stepson Jason Drish, his father and mother-in-law, Patrick and Ruth Battle. His brother Peter Martin, his sister, Margaret and brother-in-Law, Don Horny, his nephew, Bob Horny, niece, Ashley Neiheisel, and his brothers-in-law, Michael, Edward, and Kevin Battle.

Karl was with the Teamsters of Northern Illinois and worked in road construction there. And was proud to be a Teamster. He drove both a dump truck and an oil tanker for over 30 years and retired in 2019. When his best friend, Wally Hartung, let his Teamster co-workers know in IL of Karl’s passing, he stated they were very saddened. He said Karl was loved by everyone and most importantly respected. His legacy in the industry was stellar.

Karl was a good and kind man.  He was loved by everyone who knew him.  He was patient and helpful to all who asked.  He was a quiet man, but when he had something to say, people listened.  He had a great sense of humor that everyone loved.

Karl had two boys, both named Jason Joseph, his son, Jason Martin, and his stepson, Jason Drish.  They were one year apart in age.  Karl loved them both very much.  He enjoyed boating and took the boys whenever we could convince them to come with, as they were teenagers when he and Ellen bought their boat.  He loved his family so much and was very close to his beloved dad and sister, Karen, as well as, his nephews, Kevin Neiheisel, Bob Horny, and his niece, Michelle Rizzo.  When his mother-in-law, Ruth Battle, could not live on her own anymore at 89, he suggested she move in with he and Ellen, the proceeded to pain the bedroom for her in her favorite light blue color, as she was devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He treated her like gold, and she loved him so much as he did her.

Karl was always active, he loved his wife Ellen, his family and friends, followed by his Tahoe, his BMW and Harley motorcycles, his pool, and the great outdoors. His Tahoe might have outranked his friends. He loved working on his bikes and did everything for his cars, as long as he could. He would help anyone with their cars if needed. He and Ellen often took road trips to see the beauty around them, especially the National Parks. Karl loved to cook and was very good, loved to experiment and it always turned out great!

Karl and Ellen moved to a great neighborhood in Il and lived there 26 years and were close friends with their little corner of neighbors, PCWT forever! They were still close to them even though they were in AZ. His family and friends were always welcome at their home. For 20 years they hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas for their families in IL. He and Ellen moved permanently to Arizona in 2021 and recently had a new house built, with a pool. He loved Arizona, his new home and his pool. He was very proud of his son Jason Martin and recently visited him and his girlfriend Katie, at their beautiful home in Southern California.

He fought long and hard to beat this pancreatic cancer. He lived many months longer than the doctors thought possible. The pneumonia and blood clots he recently developed were too much for him to fight any longer. God called him home to relieve him of his pain and give him rest.

There will be a huge void in Ellen’s life and hole in her heart, without her partner, best friend, and soul mate. There will be a huge void for all that knew Karl. And that’s Karl with a K.