Martin Jerry Hardeman of Winchester, Virginia passed away on March 1, 2026, at age 80.

Martin was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 14, 1946, to Rillious and Julia (Martin) Hardeman. He received a BA in history from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois and earned a doctoral degree at the University of Chicago. He then taught at Roosevelt University, Kenyon College in Gambier, OH, the University of Saint Thomas in Houston, TX, and Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL.

Martin retired from Eastern in 2020 after teaching American history, African American history and American constitutional history (his great love) for almost 30 years. His wife of 28 years, Clare L. McCulla, a Legal Services lawyer, simultaneously retired. They then moved East to be near family.

Martin was predeceased by his parents and by his brother, Ronald. In addition to his wife, Martin is survived by a cousin, Larry Martin of Detroit, MI and other relatives. He was close to his in-laws: father-in-law James McCulla; sisters-in-law and their spouses, Margaret McCulla (Duran Field) and Elizabeth McCulla Johnson (Chuck) and brothers-in-law and their spouses, John (Ann), Paul (Barbara), Timothy (Karen), Stephen (Stephanie) and Andew (Diane) McCulla, as well as his numerous nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and nephews.

Martin was both a great listener and a great storyteller. He collected pewter toy soldiers, particularly from the Napoleonic period, and was an avid fan of all things Bob Dylan.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on March 24, 2026, at Saint Luke Catholic Church, McLean, VA. This will be for family only.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Mississippi Historical Society, P.O. Box 571, Jackson, MS 39205.