Joseph Earl Martelle, Jr.

After a long, happy life, Joseph Earl "Bud" Martelle, Jr., 94, of Sapulpa, OK, went to be with the Lord on March 30, 2024. Bud was the sixth of nine children born to Joseph Earl Martelle, Sr. and Mildred Louise (Murphy) Martelle in Miles City, MT on June 23, 1929. He attended Custer County High School in Miles City, MT and at the age of 19, he enlisted in the United States Navy, attending Mine Warfare School and later chose the Hurricane Hunter Squadron, traveling to various places around the world. He met the love of his life, Helen Martin, through her brother, a good friend of his in the Navy. Bud and Helen dated many times over the 4 years he was in the Navy and married on September 6, 1953. They moved to Montana where they had their first daughter, Kathryn Joan, and a year later returned to Sapulpa, Oklahoma where they bought their first home. Their second daughter, Carla Ann, was born shortly after, then six years later their third daughter, Corilee Louise, arrived. Bud and Helen traveled throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, and took many camping trips with their family.

Bud applied at the Tulsa Post Office and started working as a mail carrier in September 1955 for four years. He then leased and owned the DX Service Station in Sapulpa until he sold it in 1963. In 1964, Bud went back to the Tulsa Post Office carrying mail until 1972. He transferred to the Safety Office until 1981 when he became the Officer in Charge in Dewey, OK for 7 months.  He was then appointed the Postmaster of Kellyville, Oklahoma, where he stayed until retirement in 1987. He enjoyed his time with the United States Postal Service and made many friends throughout the years. After retirement, Bud remained busy with various jobs and projects, in and out of the home.

Bud was an active member of Junior Chamber of Commerce in the 1960's as a Councilman on the Sapulpa City Council in 1970, serving as Vice Mayor. He was Royal Patron of the Amaranth in 1959, Worthy Patron of Oklahoma Eastern Star in 1961, Past Master of the Masonic Lodge #170 in 1962, and Grand Royal Patron of the State of Oklahoma in 1989, where he did a lot of travel around Oklahoma and throughout the United States. He did an excellent job of representing the Order and an outstanding job memorizing and giving the work. He is a member of the First Christian Church, Sapulpa, and has been a Deacon and Elder serving many faithful years.

He spent his life making people laugh and never met a stranger. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Helen, of Sapulpa, daughters Kathy Coppock and husband Larry of Claremore; Carla Taylor of Sapulpa; and Corilee Williams of Sapulpa; 8 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers and sisters, and his in-laws Leroy and Cora (Stanberry) Martin.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday, April 4, at First Christian Church in Sapulpa with graveside service at South Heights Cemetery. Family Visitation is scheduled from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, April 3, at Traditions Funeral Home in Kellyville. Arrangements are under the direction of Traditions Funeral Home in Kellyville, OK.