Martin Alex Panchula

January 12, 1946 – March 20, 2026

It is with profound sadness and hearts full of love that we announce the passing of Martin Alex Panchula — beloved husband, devoted father, cherished brother, and dear friend — who left this earthly plane peacefully on Friday, March 20, 2026. He was 80 years old.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Delia Jeanette (DJ) Panchula; his sons, Martin Panchula (wife Lynann; children Justin, Erin, and Megan) and Alex Panchula (wife Cindy; children Evan, Jacob, and Ella); and his daughter, Carol Panchula Liggett.

He is also survived by his siblings: MaryAnna, Dorothy (husband Pete), Patricia (husband John), Rebecca, Michael, and Catherine (husband Adam); as well as many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins, extended family members, and the many friends and close neighbors whose lives he touched.

Born on January 12, 1946, in Flint MI, Marty lived a life as rich and varied as the rocks and stones he so lovingly collected. Over the decades, his journey carried him across the country — from Michigan, Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, to New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and finally California — gathering experiences, friendships, and memories at every stop along the way.

Marty held a degree in Packaging Engineering from Michigan State University, a credential he put to remarkable use across many fields and disciplines. He found his deepest professional calling in the medical field, where he worked on some of the earliest dialysis and transfusion machines, often stationed right in operating rooms, training healthcare teams with patience and expertise. His work quite literally helped save lives.

Yet for all his professional accomplishments, what mattered most to Marty was family. Family was the axis around which his whole world turned, and he gave generously — of his time, his resources, and his heart — to everyone he loved.

Marty was a jovial soul with a quick wit and a warm laugh. He loved a clever joke, and an unexpected prank could bring a gleam to his eye that those who knew him will never forget. He was the kind of man who made any room brighter simply by being in it.

At home, Marty was truly in his element. A skilled and handy man, there was little he couldn't build, fix, or improve. His garden was a point of deep pride — his roses, fig trees, and mandarin oranges thrived under his careful attention. Beyond the yard, he pursued his hobbies with enthusiasm and joy: hunting for mushrooms and rocks in the wild, practicing the artful craft of lapidary (shaping and polishing stones), and working his way through puzzles with quiet, satisfying focus.

Always wanting to learn and gain experiences, Marty also enjoyed traveling and seeing the world with his lifelong travel companion and wife Jeanette. They often included family, extended family, and friends in their trips around the US, Europe, South America, and Asia.

A man of strong faith, Marty was a devoted member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Vacaville, California and a proud founding member of the local chapter of Knights of Columbus, an organization that reflected his deep commitment to community, faith, and service.

It is that faith that sustained him through his battle with Parkinson’s over the last 10 years. His drive and determination allowed Marty to stay active with incredibly supportive groups like “Dance for Parkinson”, Rock Steady Boxing, and the North State Therapy Choir.

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A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Vacaville, California on April 17 at 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations in Marty's memory may be directed to Knights of Columbus, the Michael J Fox Parkinson's Foundation, the Pamela Trokanski Dance Theatre (designate for “Dance for Parkinsons”), North Valley Community Foundation Music Therapy Impact Fund, or a charity of your choosing.

https://www.kofc.org/get-involved/donate/

https://give.michaeljfox.org/give/421686/#!/donation/checkout

https://www.trokanski.org/donate

https://nvcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1750