Benjamin Joel Martindale

Benjamin Joel Martindale Benjamin Joel Martindale, age 86, passed away Tuesday, June 24, 2008.  He was born April 19, 1922, in Charleston, SC.  Mr. Martindale is survived by his wife, Donna Everett Martindale, to whom he was married for 60 years; son Benjamin J. Martindale, II, and his wife, Nancy L. Martindale, and grandchildren, Amanda N. Martindale and Benjamin J. Martindale, III of Arlington, VA, and son, Barry N. Martindale, of Mt. Pleasant SC; also, a niece, Mrs. Shirley M. Slater and her husband, Dick of Portsmouth, VA.  He was the son of the late Wallace A. Martindale, Sr., and Maude M. Martindale, of Portsmouth, VA.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Woodrow W. Martindale, and his wife, Dorothy S. Martindale, of Dunedin, FL. Mr. Martindale attended the public schools in Portsmouth, VA and graduated from East Carolina Teachers' College (now East Carolina University), in Greenville, NC, in 1950, following which he was Head of the Business Education Department at Chowan Junior College, Murfreesboro, NC before taking a position with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in Rocky Mount NC in 1951.  He retired in 1985 as Claims Manager from CSX Transportation after 34 years of service. Mr. Martindale was a Veteran of World War II; having served in the US Navy in the Pacific Theatre, and he was a Life Member and Past Commander of VFW Post #2057, Rocky Mount, NC.   He served as Chairman of Cub Scout Pack #31 for 2 years, was a member of the Board of Directors for the former ACL RR. Y.M.C.A. and was President of Rocky Mount Little Tarheel League for 5 years.  He was a member of the Masonic Lodge since April, 1943, Sudan Shrine Temple since June, 1946, Royal Order of Jesters since January, 1969, and was a Past President, as well as Past Secretary-Treasurer of Rocky Mount Shrine Club. Also, he was Past President and Past Secretary of the South Atlantic Shrine Chanters Association.  Mr. Martindale was elected to Life Membership in the Rocky Mount Elks Lodge #1038 and was a Past Exalted Ruler and Past Secretary of the Elks Lodge.  He was Past President and Past Secretary of the Senior Golf League at Birchwood Country Club and held a lifetime honorary membership at Birchwood Country Club, Nashville, NC.  Mr. Martindale served on the Advisory Board of Hospice and Palliative Care of Nash General Hospital for several years.  He was a member of Dortches Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to:  Hospice and Palliative Care of Nash Health Care Systems, 2460 Curtis Ellis Drive, Rocky Mount, NC  27804 or the  Cripple Children's Hospital, PO Box 490, New Bern, NC 28563. The family will receive friends Friday, June 27, 2008 from 7:00 – 8:30 pm Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home, Rocky Mount, NC.  A funeral service will be held Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 11:00 am at Dortches Baptist Church with Rev. Billy Howell officiating.  A graveside service with Masonic Rites will be held in the Mausoleum at Rocky Mount Memorial Park immediately following the service. Arrangements by Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 North Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC  27804.  On-line condolences may be sent to the Martindale family by visiting www.wheelerandwoodlief.com.