ROCKY MOUNT, N.C.—Benjamin Joel Martindale, 86, passed away June 24, 2008. He was born April 19, 1922, in Charleston, S.C.

Survivors include 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; son, Barry N. Martindale of Mount Pleasant S.C.; and a niece, Shirley M. Slater and her husband Dick of Portsmouth.

He was the son of the late Wallace A. Martindale Sr. and Maude M. Martindale of Portsmouth.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Woodrow W. Martindale and his wife, Dorothy S. Martindale, formerly of Dunedin, Fla.

He attended the public schools in Portsmouth and graduated from East Carolina Teachers’ College (now East Carolina University), in Greenville, N.C., in 1950, following which he was head of the Business Education Department

at Chowan Junior College, Murfreesboro, N.C., before taking a position with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in Rocky Mount in 1951.

He retired in 1985 as claims manager from CSX Transportation after 34 years of service.

He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theatre and he was a life member and past commander of VFW Post No. 2057, Rocky Mount.

He served as chairman of Cub Scout Pack No. 31 for two years, was a member of the Board of Directors for the former ACL RR. YMCA and was president of Rocky Mount Little Tarheel League for five 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.

He was elected to Life Membership in the Rocky Mount Elks Lodge No. 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, N.C.

He 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, N.C. 27804 or the Shriners Hospitals for Children, P.O. Box 490, New Bern, NC 28563.

A funeral was to be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Dortches Baptist Church with the Rev. Billy Howell officiating.

A graveside service with Masonic rites was to be held in the mausoleum at Rocky Mount Memorial Park immediately following the service.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.wheelerandwoodlief.com.