Living

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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Emile E. Martin III, a lawyer who never shrank from opposing the Perez political machine that ran Plaquemines Parish for decades, died Monday (Feb. 17) at his Belle Chasse home. He was 92.

"He was always anti-Perez before it was safe to be that way," said Michael Kirby, a retired state appeals judge. "He had this passion to see things done right and to take up for the little guy against the giants."

Nothing daunted him, Kirby said. "He was never afraid to take on anybody or anything. He might be wrong, but he'd go down fighting. . . . He always fought for what was right."

Mr. Martin locked horns with Leander Perez, the family's patriarch, over desegregation because Mr. Martin believed schools should be integrated, said Johnette Martin, his daughter. "He said we have to provide an equal education for black children. That was the ending point of my father's working with Leander Perez."

He lost his job as the parish's inheritance-tax collector, Johnette Martin said, and his law practice suffered because people were afraid their cases would be doomed if Mr. Martin represented them.

But he carried on, frequently representing poor people who paid him in produce because they had no money, Johnette Martin said.

"We would see people come to the back porch and leave a box of produce to pay my dad," she said. "Once he was paid with a freezer-ready butchered cow.

"My father was a good man. He cared about people."

Mr. Martin, who was elected to a state district judgeship in 1982, after the Perez family lost its clout, was a native of Port Sulphur whose father served on the parish police jury.

He was a baker with the Seabees on a ship in the South Pacific during World War II. After leaving the service, he earned undergraduate and law degrees at LSU and set up a law practice in Plaquemines Parish.

Mr. Martin ran for the Legislature in 1959, but he and the other members of his ticket lost because they were running against the Perez machine.

He kept practicing law until he was elected to the 25th Judicial District bench, where he served one eight-year term.

Among the lawyers who appeared before him was Mark Pivach, a former neighbor.

"He was always fair," Pivach said. "He would always listen and do what he thought was right."

Mr. Martin resumed his law practice after leaving the bench.

Throughout his career, he was adamant once he took a position, his daughter said. "He had the heart of a lion."

Although Mr. Martin could be firm, he had a wry sense of humor, Kirby said. "At one point, his staff pitched in and bought him a sweatshirt that said, 'Grumpy.' He said, 'I'm not grumpy; I'm irascible.'"

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and the state and parish bar associations. He also worked with Boy Scout Troop 106, and he was an avid fisherman.

Survivors include his wife, Amanda Zahn Martin; five sons, Edward Zahn Martin, Jay Edgar Martin, Robert Dale Martin, David Edward Martin and Gregory Frank Martin, all of Belle Chasse; a daughter, Johnette Leontine Martin of New Orleans; a brother, Ray Martin of Belle Chasse; a sister, Mary Lou Martin of Belle Chasse; and six grandchildren.

A Mass will be said Thursday (Feb. 20) at noon at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Belle Chasse. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m.

Burial will be in Metairie Cemetery.

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Obituary

MARTIN Emile E. "Mitz" Martin, III passed away peacefully in his sleep at home after a long illness on Monday, February 17, 2014, at the age of 92. Emile was born in Happy Jack, Plaquemines Parish and he resided most of his life in Belle Chasse. He was the son of Mercedes Becnel and Emile E. Martin, Jr. He was the loving husband for 68 years to Amanda Zahn Martin and the father of Edward Zahn (Cindy), Johnette Leontine, Jay Emile, Robert Dale (Mary), David Edward and Gregory Frank Martin. "The Judge" was grandfather of Jean Paul, Jonathan (Sandi), Elizabeth, Justen, Jeremy and Emily Martin, and was looking forward to the birth of his first great grandchild this spring. He is survived by one brother Ray Martin (Donna) and one sister Mary Lou Ban, and was predeceased by his other siblings, Una Vullo, Benjamin, Eugene and Rita Mae Martin and Lorraine Landry. He is also survived by his brother-in-law James E. Johnson, sister-in-law Bennie Jay Zahn and numerous nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 8968 Highway 23, Belle Chasse, LA 70037 (394 0314) on Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 12:00 pm. Interment will follow in Metairie Cemetery. Visitation in Church on Thursday from 10:00 am until service time. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to, St. Michael Special School, 1522 Chippewa St., New Orleans, LA 70130. To view and sign the guest book, please go to www.lakelawnmetairie.com.


Published in The Times-Picayune from Feb. 18 to Feb. 19, 2014

Emile married Amanda Gehrke Zahn on 21 Jun 1945 in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. Amanda (daughter of Edward George Zahn and Leontine Josephine Morlas) was born on 29 Jan 1922 in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana; died on 3 Jan 2020 in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana; was buried on 11 Jan 2021 in Metairie Cemetery (Lake Lawn Metairie), New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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Amanda Gehrke Zahn Martin, born January 29, 1922, passed into the presence of Our Lord on January 3, 2021. Loving wife of and predeceased in life by Emile E. Martin III, (Judge, Ret.), and by her son David Edward Martin, she is survived by her daughter Johnette Leontine Martin, and sons Edward Zahn Martin (Cynthia), Jay Emile Martin, Robert Dale Martin (Mary), and Gregory Frank Martin. Amanda is also survived by her grandchildren Jean Paul Martin, Jonathan Martin (Sandy), Jeremy Martin, Emily Martin, Elizabeth Martin, and Justen Martin (Brenna).

Amanda was the second daughter of Leontine Josephine Morlas and George Edward Zahn, granddaughter of Amanda Henriette Amalia Gehrke and Bernhardt John Zahn, Sr. and Lucine Roquevert and John Dominic Morlas. She was predeceased by her beloved sisters Johanette Zahn Kleinpeter, Lucine Zahn Johnson, and Bennie Jay Zahn. She and her sisters spent their childhoods with the friendships of many cousins in the uptown area.

A resident of New Orleans prior to her marriage, she attended Robert Mills Lusher Elementary School, Eleanor McMain High School through 1939, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge 1943. She accepted a teaching position in Port Sulphur, Plaquemines Parish, and there met her future husband, Emile, home on leave during WWII from the Navy. They were married June 21, 1945 and celebrated their 68th anniversary together in 2013.

Amanda was a gift to her family and friends, neighbors, and acquaintances and she gave of herself to others as the truly loving give. She devoted her life to the happiness of her beloved husband and children. Her personal pleasures were traveling, entertaining, reading, playing bridge with friends, and spending holidays with her sisters and their families. As a grandmother, she devoted an abundance of time, attention, and love to her grandchildren.

We are deeply grateful for the care and attention given to Amanda by Marie Williams, whose loving companionship made Amanda's last years comfortable and fulfilled. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 8968 Highway 23, Belle Chasse, LA 70037 (394-0314) on Monday, January 11, 2021 at 12:00 pm, with visitation at the church to commence at 10:30 am. Interment will follow in Metairie Cemetery.

As she deeply cherished her son with special needs, Amanda was untiring in her love and support of David's school. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to St. Michael's Special School, 1522 Chippewa St, New Orleans, LA 70130. To view and sign the guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.

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The son of Bernhardt John ZAHN, Sr. and Amanda Henrietta GEHRKE.

Edward married Leontine Josephine Morlas on 19 Dec 1918 in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. Leontine (daughter of John Dominic Morlas and Lucine Roquevert) was born on 19 Jan 1889 in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana; died on 20 Feb 1972 in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana; was buried in Metairie Cemetery (Lake Lawn Metairie), New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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Called "Daughter."

ZAHN Leontine Morlas Zahn, on Sunday evening, February 20, 1972, at 7:15 o'clock. Wife of the late Edward George Zahn; mother of Mrs. James E. Johnson and Miss Bennie Zahn, both of New Orleans, Louisiana, Mrs. Leon R. Kleinpeter Jr. of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Mrs. Emile Martin III of Belle Chasse, Louisiana; daughter of the late Lucine Roquevert and John Morlas, Sr.; sister of Mrs. Estelle Trapani; Sister Mary Cyril RSM, Mrs. Eugene Schoenfeld, Mrs. Alvin Rohli, all of New Orleans, Louisiana, Mrs. Eugenie Bishop of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, Mrs. Kenneth Carpenter of Woodward, Oklahoma and Leon Morlas of Pass Christian, Mississippi and the late Mrs. Clothilde Bordes, Mrs. Lucille Quinn, John, Louis and Paul Morlas; also survived by 16 grandchildren. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral. Services from Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp, Inc., 4127 S. Claiborne Ave. (parking entrance adjoining), on Tuesday, February 22, 1972, at 9 o'clock a.m. followed by Requiem Mass at St. Rita's Church. Interment in Metairie Cemetery. Contributions to St. Michael's Special School, 1526 Chippew St., preferred.

(Obituary courtesy of Keith McGuire)

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Married:
Their four daughters were born at the combination home and grocery store they owned and operated, located on Calhoun Street.

Daughter's Nettie and Lucy visted their Aunt Josephine McGuire's family in Oklahoma during the summer of 1945.