Ignacio Gonzalez Martinez, 78 of Fort Smith passed away Monday, January 16, 2023 in a local hospital. He was retired from Parks Brothers Nursery in Van Buren. He loved to garden, spend time with his grandchildren and he also enjoyed receiving the word from the Holy Bible and singing hymns of praise. He attended the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Fort Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents Atanacio Martinez Jimenez and Fermina Gonzalez.

Funeral service will be at 2:00 PM Friday, January 20, 2023 at Ocker Memorial Chapel in Van Buren with burial at Forest Park Cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren. The family will visit with relatives and friends Thursday, January 19, 2023 from 5-7 PM at Ocker Funeral Home 700 Jefferson Street Van Buren.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Maria J. Martinez of the home; four daughters Erica Rivas of Huntsville, Texas, Rafaela Martinez, Elibelet Gonzalez and Yadira Martinez all of Fort Smith; two sons Heriberto Martinez of Roland and Juan Martinez of Fort Smith; four brothers Miguel, Juan and Gustavo Martinez all of Fort Smith, Jose Martinez of Fort Smith; sixteen grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.