The following messages of condolence and symbols
have been added in memory of Martin.

Martin was an amazing human being in soooooo many ways - the Lord truly gifted him and 'hardwired' him with His love for people!!!
I shed a few tears as his story was shared today. He will be missed........
An extraordinary man - your family and we, his friends were truly blessed to have the gift that he was in our lives.
So comforting, reassuring & wonderful to know that we hall be reunited with him in eternity. "Well done good and faithful servant" are the words he is hearing in heaven!!
Till we meet again Martin - your legacy of Christ will go on.
Sending our condolences and our love to you all. Maria and Grieshka Kleinveldt (and family)
🙏🏽❤️✝️

Dear Uncle Martin's family,
Your father, grandfather and great grandfather, and your beautiful late mother and grandmother were true lights in our lives, and they instilled in me the love of reading and books, from Haffertee Hamster to my first Bible, and even a book about the African American surgeon Ben Carson! I learned so much about the world from those well-loved books, every single one which I kept and now share with my own three children; as those stories always had a moral compass and were replete with love.

Most of all, we felt so loved and cherished by Uncle Martin and Aunty Stella. What a gift they were in our lives, absolute life changing. Refugees are generally 'invisible' in society (unless we are up to mischief!) but we felt truly seen for who we were and what we were capable of. He always thought the best of us. He taught us to care for the vulnerable. Uncle Martin lived as close to God as possible, and left a lasting legacy of absolute love and kindness. He will forever and ever be part of me, because he has helped shape part of my heart.

Dear family of Uncle Martin, our thoughts are with you at this time, your father and grandfather and great-grandfather was so loved and changed all our lives: his love for refugee families like ours will never be forgotten. There will never be another like him.

To all beloved Gawler,
with heavy heart, I join you in this time of your sadness, as I seek to express my condolences for the departure of Uncle Martin.
It may sound like an everyday cliche, but, truly there aren't any words for me to express my sorrow, and in meantime, my gratitude to the Lord for allowing my life journey to cross this humble servant of his, that I had adopted as my own Uncle.
Thanks for sharing him with us.
My prayers are with you all.

The great grandchildren are very proud to have had such a wonderful great grandfather who very nearly reached a hundred years old!

Jarrad, Arwen, Zion and I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to all grandpa’s family as well as to his many friends, who though not related by blood, also considered grandpa as family.

We remember, honour and give thanks for grandpa and his life of service to God, his family, his neighbours and country. I have yet to meet anyone whose lives were so marked by the fruit of the spirit as nana and grandpa’s. Their love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control was evident to all who knew them. Grandpa was a true model of godliness, humility, wisdom and grace (even that one time when I accidentally slammed his hand in the car door with full force).

I have so many fond memories of Grandpa. He was like a walking encyclopaedia and we loved to hear him tell us stories of his wartime experiences, his work at RMIT and his ministry to those in need including newly arrived refugees to Australia. As grandchildren, nana and grandpa made us feel loved and special. They took us on many outings and adventures. Looking back, it must have been a mammoth effort for them! Grandpa’s impact on our lives has been immeasurable and will go on long after today. We wouldn’t even be here had he not gone to the effort of taking my mother, Isobel, to church where she met his son, David.

Many spend their lives chasing things that will soon be forgotten but grandpa’s was a life well lived for he laid his treasure up in heaven and made God his highest priority. He trusted in Christ alone as his saviour, not in any of his notable achievements or good works. So we can say in the words of 1 Corinthians 15:55, “Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’

Grandpa indeed made the better choice outlined in the famous poem, ‘Only One Life’ by pioneer missionary, C.T Studd.

“Two little lines I heard one day,
Travelling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its days I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervour burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;

Only one life, ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, Thy will be done;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say, ‘Twas worth it all;

Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has burned out for Thee.”

May the love of God surround you all during this time of sorrow and bring you peace.

Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of Uncle Martin.
We just want to share to the family how much Uncle Martin and Auntie Estela meant so much to us, especially in our early adjustments here in Australia.
When we arrived in March 1982 as new migrant from the Philippines, we attended church service at Moonee Ponds Baptist. The first person to greet and welcome us was Uncle Martin. He asked us where we were staying and said they wanted to visit us. So in the afternoon he and Auntie Estela came in a van full of winter clothings. They knew that we needed winter clothes, because coming from a tropical country, our clothes going to church were summer clothes.
During our conversation with them, we felt welcomed at church because, they were so soft-spoken couple, fatherly , motherly, always smiling, compassionate, listening, loving and caring. Uncle Martin said we can call them by name instead of addressing them as sir and ma'am, but we refused, so they told us to call them Uncle and Auntie. It was not only us, who called them Uncle & Auntie but all other new Filipinos who were coming to MPBC.
After Auntie Estela's death, talking to Uncle Martin was so encouraging, though he was grieving, you really wanted to listen because he testified his faith that death is just temporary separation for those who trust and believe in Jesus Christ.
Uncle Martin was a man of faith. His life was a real testimony of who Jesus Christ is, in his life.

May Uncle Martin's legacy gives comfort and joy to his family, during this time of bereavement.

God bless,
Levi & Elsa Dacion

To the Family,
My deepest condolences on the loss of our dear Uncle Martin. Many of my childhood memories is seeing him and auntie Stella sharing their love, care and compassion for all who meet them. I’m glad they’re together again in heaven and although we will miss them dearly, they are watching and still caring over us. Uncle Martin was truly an inspiration as a Christian, Friend and conpanion. Sending healing prayers and comfort during this tough time.