Martin L. Tarnow Jr

Oct 10, 1917 - Aug 15, 1998

Martin L. Tarnow Jr. giant of the community and a nationally A try, recognized Martin L. figure Tarnow in the Jr., retail died last food Satur- indusday in Naples, Fla. Tarnow and his wife in 1947 put up $200 in cash to open a neighborhood grocery store on Portage Avenue.

Today there are 17 Martin's Super Markets in northern Indiana and southern Michigan. Some 2,500 people are on the company payroll. Guided by Tarnow's remarkable business in- stincts, Martin's stores over the years developed a reputation for fair treatment of the customer, and a friendly atmosphere. Tarnow was especially proud of the stores' human side. He once called / his experience, "A very rewarding career -meeting all those people as customers and knowing them as friends." Tarnow was involved in the South Bend/Mishawaka Area Chamber of Commerce and the Retail Merchants Association, in which he served as president.

His passing leaves a void in the community.

Martin Tarnow was born Oct. 10, 1917, in LaPorte and grew up in South Bend, graduating from Central High School in 1935.

He married Jane Cary on March 29, 1936. He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Nancy Bartels of South Bend and Suellen Leslie of Lexington, Va.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Private family services were conducted in Naples.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Nature Conservancy, 1815 N. Lynn St., Attention: MSC, Arlington, VA 22209.

Sources: Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com

10/31/2025 EJS