Benjamin Godina Martinez passed peacefully in his sleep at home on Sept. 17. He was born in San Antonio, Texas and raised in Saginaw, Mich. by his parents Lucio and Anita Martinez. He leaves behind his loving wife of 17 years, Sue.

Benny served in the U.S. Army from October 1957 to August 1963. He was stationed in Germany from 1957 to 1959. He was a member of Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church, president of the Guadalupana Society, member of the Sociedad Morelos, member of Cornite Mexicano De Beneficencia, and member of the American GI Forum for 10 years.

He worked for Tri-Valley Growers Plant 7 as a forklift driver and foreman “A.F.” He retired after 32 years with the company.

His enjoyed dancing and he served as coach for Little Leagues, girls, women and men’s baseball teams.

He leaves behind sisters, Mary (Joe) Garcia and Lucy Lopas, both of Bay City, Mich.; son, Martin (Rhonda) Martinez of Modesto; daughters, Anna (Doug) Fiez of Riverbank and Sophia (Eddie) Zuniga of Modesto; step daughter, Kim (Robert) Wilson of Denair; 13 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 1 at Turlock Funeral Home. Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2 at Turlock Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Rd. Burial will follow with full military honors at Turlock Memorial Park.

Please leave your condolences with www.turlockmemorialpark.com.