MARTIN CUTHBERT PETRAS, died Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at the age of 86. Marty was born in Cleveland in July 1921. He graduated from Holy Name High School in 1940 while being active in Boy Scouts, YMCA, and football. Marty joined the U.S. Army in 1942 and was commissioned 2nd Lt. Corps of Engineers. He served as platoon leader and company commander from 1942-1945; his unit served two years in Europe as part of 1st Army, VII Corps. 612th Engineers. Marty was awarded five Battle Stars for taking part in the Normandy D-Day invasion, Battle of the Bulge, defeat of the German Wermacht and also met Russian forces on the Elbe River in April 1945. After the war Marty served in the American occupied zone for two years 1947-48. He was recalled to active duty, for eighteen months during the Korean War 1951-52 that included one year in Korea. Marty spent most of his civilian career in the construction engineering field. He worked with Morrison-Knudsen Company and retired at age 72. In 1948 Marty married Irmgard Katharina Hunger and they spent 49 happy years together, Irmgard passed away in 1995. Irmgard was a native of Germany whom Marty met while stationed in Germany They raised three sons and a daughter in Cleveland. Marty moved to Marietta, GA in 1998 where he joined his son Christopher and daughter Susan and became active in the Golden "K" Kiwanis Club of Marietta. Marty also became very involved with the local community in Marietta by giving presentations to local high school students about his experiences in W.W. II. Coincidentally the students he was lecturing to happened to attend the same high school as his grandsons Ross and Joey. He enjoyed singing with the Guys and Dolls choral group associated with his Kiwanis Club. He worked with several Cobb County elementary schools reading to students and in participating in the K Kids program. He also was once honored as Kiwanis of the year from his Kiwanis Club. He is survived by sons, Martin Petras of Parma, Christopher Petras of Cleveland, GA, Charles Petras of Farmington WA, Susan Petras Walker of Duluth, GA; grandchildren, Shelley Petras and Sheryl Petras of Cleveland, OH, Joseph Petras of Peachtree City, GA, and Ross Petras of Fort Lauderdale, FL; great grandchildren Halen Petras and Kiley Petras of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Brayden Petras of Peachtree City, GA. and Greyden Smith of Cleveland, OH. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Marietta Golden K Kiwanis Club. Please make checks payable to Marietta Golden K Kiwanis Club and send to Marietta Golden K Kiwanis Club c/o Mr. Joe Van Horn, 211 Sequoia Dr., Marietta, GA, 30060. The family will receive friends FROM 2-4 P.M. AT MAYES WARD-DOBBINS FUNERAL HOME, MARIETTA, GA ON SATURDAY, APRIL 19 followed by a Memorial service at 4 p.m. The burial and military honors service will be held at noon on Monday, April 21 at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA.

Published in The Plain Dealer on 4/19/2008.