Martin Fackelman

Martin Marty Joseph Fackelman, 88, died Sunday, May 27th, 2012 in Abilene. His funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, May 31st in the Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel, 5750 HWY 277 South with entombment following in Elmwood Memorial Park.

Marty was born in Cleveland, Ohio on February 20, 1924 to John Joseph and Theresa Fackelman. When Marty was 12 years old, he won the U.S. Marble Championship in Cleveland. He loved golfing and in 1941 caddied for Bryon Nelson at the Ridgewood Country Club in Cleveland. He graduated from Parma High School and Fenn College. In 1943 he entered the Army, 65th Signal Battalion during WWII in the European Theater. He received multiple meritorious campaign medals with 2 bronze stars. After the war, he married Hedy Anastopulos Smith. Marty and his fatherinlaw, Harvey Smith, opened the Brownwood Business School in Brownwood, Texas in 1947. He left Texas in 1955 to work for Standard Oil Company in Denver, Colorado. He later moved to Fort Worth and then finally Abilene where he opened Abilene Commercial College in 1961. Marty then worked for Halliburton from 1977 until his retirement in 1991. He was a Shriner, a 32 degree Mason and a Baptist.

Survivors include his wife, Hedy of Abilene two daughters, Gail Jackson Smith and husband David of DeKalb, Texas and Laura Fackelman of Breckenridge, Texas three grandsons, Nicholas Jackson of Irving, Case Jackson of Weatherford and Gavin Jackson of Kerrville and 7 great grandchildren.

His parents, 4 sisters and 2 brothers preceded him in death.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the donors favorite charity.

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Cemetery