HERKIMER-Martin G. Halpin, age 95, of 104 North Washington Street, formerly of Marion Street, passed away on Wednesday morning, November 25, 2009, in Folts Homes, Herkimer. He was born on January 12, 1914, in Herkimer, son of the late James B. and Lillian Bannais Halpin. A lifelong Herkimer resident, he graduated from Herkimer High School with the class of 1934. A veteran of World War II, he entered the US Army in February of 1941 and had served in the Rhineland and Normandy. He was in the European Theatre from June of 1944 to February of 1945 where he received the American Defense Service Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge and was awarded the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. He was honorably discharged on September 1, 1945, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. On December 31, 1942, he was united in marriage with the former Stella Rockey in South Carolina. They shared a loving and devoted union of fifty-five years until her passing on July 1, 1998. For many years he worked for the US Postal Service where he was Assistant Postmaster in Herkimer, retiring on May 10, 1974. He was active in local politics and was a Democratic Committeeman; at one time he served as Herkimer Town Clerk and was also a member of the Herkimer Housing Authority Board. Mr. Halpin led a devoted Catholic life and was a member of Saint Francis deSales Church, Herkimer, Marty had a true sense of community. He was a charter member of the Michael S. Pliseck Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4915, Herkimer, a life member of Herkimer Elks Lodge #1439, a life member of NARFE, a life member of the General Herkimer Purple Heart and Utica Stars and Stripes. He will always be remembered for his warm smile and friendly manner. He will be greatly missed by his many friends and especially his family. Surviving are his daughter, Kathleen Halpin of Lady Lake, FL, three grandchildren, Sean Hartigan of Saratoga Springs, Alyssa Hartigan of Ponte Vedre, FL and Richard Grande of Johnstown, several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents and wife Stella he was preceded in death by his son Richard M. Halpin, three brothers, Robert, Bernard and Edward Halpin and a sister-in-law Lydia Halpin. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 pm on Friday in Saint Francis deSales Church Herkimer. The Reverend Mark Cunningham, Pastor will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow in Calvary Cemetery. The family will be present to receive relatives and friends on Thursday from 4:00 until 7:00 pm in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court Street; Herkimer. Members of Herkimer Elks Lodge #1439 are asked to meet in the funeral home at 6:00 pm Thursday for ritualistic services and the members of Michael S. Pliseck VFW Post #4915 Herkimer at 6:15 pm for their services. For his many friends and staff members at the Folts Homes, there will be calling hours at 10:00 a.m. on Friday morning with a prayer service to follow at 11:00 am. in the Wakeman Chapel of Folts Homes. The Reverend Catherine Lee, Chaplain will officiate Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the General Herkimer Chapter of the Order of the Purple Heart or Saint Francis deSales Parochial Regional School. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.