Martin Norman Bianchi

Feb. 4, 1933 – Jan. 6, 2020

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30 at The Stanislaus County Swiss Club, 812 E. Taylor Rd., Ceres, for Martin Norman Bianchi, 86, of Modesto. He passed away on Jan. 6, 2020 in Turlock.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Franklin & Downs Funeral Home, Ceres Chapel, 2561 Fifth Street, Ceres.

Martin was born in Modesto to Siro and Flora Bianchi on Feb. 4, 1933.  He married Barbara June Causey on Sept. 9, 1952, and they were married for 67 years. He attended Jones School in the Westport School District, graduated from Ceres High School, and attended Modesto Junior College under the G.I. Bill, majoring in Agriculture.

Martin served our country in the U.S Army. He was a veteran of the Korean War. He worked as an agronomist for 63 years. Martin was an employee of Stanislaus Farm Supply. 

His hobbies included supporting his Oakland As and going to Reno, Nev.  He was involved in the CSU Stanislaus Arrowhead Club, Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, and served on the Ceres Unified School District Board for 12 years representing the Westport School District. 

Martin is survived by his wife, Barbara Bianchi of Modesto; children, Paul Bianchi, Denise (Ron) Hinther and Ronda Duncan; two grandchildren, Amber (Bryan) Turner and Deanna Duncan; and three great-grandchildren, Khloe, Kenzie, and Ty Turner, all of Turlock. Martin was preceded in death by his parents and brother Siro Bianchi, Jr.

Memorials in Martin’s name may be given to Ceres Unified School District FFA Program or to a charity of your choice.

–Ceres (Calif.) Courier Shopper

Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020