Martin Arthur Troutman III

After graduating from Hartford, MI High School, where he was a state champion in track and field and held records for many years, Marty went to college at Northern Michigan University. After one year, when he knew his draft number was coming up, he enlisted in the Navy during the Vietnam War. He completed two trips back and forth across the Pacific on a supply ship, which was stationed off the coast of Vietnam but also traveled up and down the coast of East Asia. Marty was proud to serve his country. When he returned from the war, he worked in a number of manual labor jobs, traveled, and eventually completed training as a Christian Science nurse at Tenacre Foundation in New Jersey. Marty worked for a few years as a Christian Science nurse before returning to undergraduate studies at Michigan State University, where he completed a bachelor’s degree in advertising. He then worked mainly in a number of sales jobs during his career.

Marty married Jeanne MacPherson on October 6,1979 in Iron River, MI. He was a devoted husband and father, as well as a lifelong member of the Christian Science church. He was a strong supporter of his wife’s career and ministry as a Christian Science nurse. He was an active and hands-on dad, a passionate volunteer for his children’s activities growing up, always helping in any way he could with cub scouts, sports, and other school activities. Education - his own and his children’s - was very important to him. He encouraged his children to pursue education as a way to achieve security but also for the love of learning. He loved music, and even wrote and composed his own music later in life. He could always be found rooting for his beloved MSU Spartans’ sports teams. He cared about current events and was a history and geography buff. His favorite show was Jeopardy and his favorite game was Trivial Pursuit! At his core, Marty was a humanitarian: he was conscientious and caring of the needs of others, and always wanting and willing to serve and help family members, fellow church members, as well as strangers.

Marty was preceded in death by his parents, Martin in 1984 and Dorothy in 2016; former spouse Jeanne in 2024; and sister Deborah Immink in 2024.

He is survived by one daughter, Rachel (and Ben) Frederick of St. Louis, MO and one son, Paul (and Janell) Troutman of East Lansing, MI; two brothers, David (and Del) Troutman of Reed City, MI, Tim (and Ronda) Troutman of Allegan, MI., one sister, Marcia (and Mike) Thompson of Beulah, MI; brother-in-law Steve Immink of Holland, MI; and two granddaughters, Elisabeth Frederick and Henrietta Troutman and one grandson, James Frederick. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

A small family gathering will be held to celebrate the life of Marty this summer.