Hyde Park- Donald Martin St. John, 89, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2024 at the Hospice House in Hyde Park.

Donald preferred to be called by his middle name, Martin. He was born on June 22, 1935, in Canajoharie to Donald Maurice and Carrie (Reno) St. John.

Martin graduated from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago in 1959 with a diploma in Missionary Aviation.

He was a member of several Baptist Churches throughout his life, including Lillington Baptist Church in Lillington, North Carolina and Fuquay-Varina Baptist Church in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. Most recently, he faithfully attended Calvary Chapel of the Hudson Valley in Poughkeepsie, New York. Martin's faith in Jesus sustained him and guided him throughout his life. One of his greatest joys was teaching 3rd grade Sunday School students with his wife, Esther. He loved to share his faith with others, regardless of their age so he sometimes even preached to homeless men at the City Mission in Schenectady, New York.

Martin put his "math brain" to work as a computer analyst for General Electric in Schenectady, New York for most of his career. Other jobs ranged from working in construction, to being an airplane mechanic, to working for the Post Office, and volunteering to teach Sunday School.

Martin had many skills, including carpentry, electrical work, and mechanical work. His hobbies included gardening, stamp and coin collecting, playing family games, and inventing children's rhymes and songs.

On June 23, 1956, Martin married Esther Irene Pugh in Warren, Indiana. They were happily married for 63 years.

Survivors include his son, Mr. Donald Carl St. John and wife, Claudia; his daughters, Dr. Cheryl Thomas; Mrs. Deborah Pieringer and husband, Paul; Mrs. Lynette Thomas and husband, Dr. Joe; Mrs. Amy Retherford and husband Jeff; and Mrs. Mary Jo Gurule and husband, Rob. His surviving siblings include Mr. Leslie St. John and Mrs. Mary Alice Merritt. Martin is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and many foster children.

Martin was predeceased by his wife, Esther, his parents, and his siblings, Richard St. John and Cora Helen Mazenec.

A memorial service will take place at the Calvary Chapel, 36 Firemens Way, Poughkeepsie, New York on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Fuquay-Varina Baptist Church, 301 N Woodrow St., Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 or to Calvary Chapel Hudson Valley, 36 Firemens Way, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603.

To send an online condolence, or for directions, visit Donald's obituary page at www.sweetsfuneralhome.com.