James J. "Joe" Martindale

James J. "Joe" Martindale, 76, of Cavalier, ND passed away Monday, February 25, 2013, at Sanford Palliative Care, Fargo, ND due to surgical complications. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 2, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at the Cavalier Presbyterian Church, Cavalier, ND. Visitation will be held Friday, March 1st from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at the church. Burial will be held in the Cavalier Cemetery.
Joe was born November 11, 1936 to Joseph and Laura Mae (Stockton) Martindale at the Deaconess Hospital in Grafton, ND. After Joe's parents died, he lived with his Uncle Tom and Aunt Violet Martindale on a farm near Bathgate, ND. He attended school in Bathgate. After school, he was a PFC in the US Army stationed in California and Panama, serving for three years. He began working in law enforcement as a city policeman for the City of Cavalier. In 1969, he became a Pembina County Deputy Sheriff under the guidance of Sheriff Glen Wells. Joe served as deputy from 1969 to 1973 and Chief Deputy from 1973 to 1987. In 1987, he was elected Pembina County Sheriff and held that position until retiring January 1, 2003. Joe also farmed the family land near Bathgate.
On December 14, 1984, Joe married Ila J. (Lesher) Jobe and became an instant father to Jay (Jan Marie) Jobe, Eagle, ID, Michelle (Jon) Ellingson, Fargo, ND, Scott (Rachel) Jobe, San Jose, CA, and Barclay Lesher, who preceded him in death. He was grandfather "Papa Joe" to Jeremiah, Dustin, Katie, Logan, Michael, Andrew, Hailee, Stephanie, Austin, and Jordan; Great-Grand Papa to Hunter and Jack.
Joe is survived by his wife Ila, children, grandchildren, one sister, Margaret Joan Gebhardt of Fargo and many special cousins. Also preceding him in death were his parents; grandparents; brother-in-law, Marvin Gebhardt; sister-in-law, Patricia Fursteneau; and his special companion, his black lab named Hunter.
Joe was a licensed pilot and enjoyed many hours flying with the Cavalier Flying Club. He was a member of the Tongue River Masonic Lodge#22, Cavalier American Legion Post #11, and Valley Car Cruisers. He was also a lifetime member of the North Dakota Peace Officers' Association, and the North Dakota Sheriff's and Deputies Association. Joe was the past president of the North Dakota Sheriff's Association, a member of the Tri-Border Peace Officers, and the Combined Peace Officers Association. Wood carving and collecting toy tractors were some of his other hobbies.
Clergy: Rev. John Werth.
Music: Lon Flage, Dave McCurdy, Charlie Morrison, Kirk Morrison, Quartet; Jan Morrison, accompanist.
Military and Law Enforcement Honors: Lavern J. Thompson Post #11, North Dakota National Guard Funeral Honors, Cass County Sheriff Department Honor Guard.
Casket Bearers: Russell Kihne, Dave Lybeck, Ritchie Park, Keith Ogden, Melvin Stark, Lauren Wild.