Senior Airman Eivette D. "Eive" Martinez, USAF, of Elkhart, passed away while on active duty stationed at Minot Air Force Base in Minot, North Dakota. She was 20 years old.

She was born in Elkhart on February 15, 2001 to Christina M. Martinez and Salvador (Marlem Mendez) Martinez de Loera, both of Elkhart, and is survived by her sisters Jessica, Ana and Andrea Martinez and Hadessa Meyers, all of Elkhart; brothers Alberto and Diego Mendez and Salvador Martinez, all of Elkhart; maternal grandparents Tom and Stephanie Meyers of Elkhart and Jesus Martinez and Margarita Velasco of Mexico; cousins Kylee Price and Ethan Meyers, both of Elkhart; nephews Julio and Leon; her aunt CPO Mary Ludlow, USCG, of Staten Island, NY; her uncle Tom (Cindy) Meyers, II, of Elkhart, and her close friend and fiancé Airman First Class Saniyya Smalls, who was serving with Eive at Minot. AFC Smalls will serve as Eive's official Air Force Escort, as well as Senior Airman Katherine Sosa Lucero. Eive's family is also filled with a host of loving extended family, good friends and Air Force colleagues.

Senior Airman Martinez will be having two services. The first will take place at Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 2:00 pm, with viewing beginning there at 1:00 pm. The second service will take place on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1108 South Main Street, Elkhart. This will consist of a Spanish-speaking Mass of Christian Burial that will be held at 1:00 pm. There will also be a visitation at the church prior to the mass at St. Vincent Hall beginning at 11:00 am. Burial with full Air Force Honors will follow Wednesday's services at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola. All are welcome to be part of Eive's funeral procession to Chapel Hill on Wednesday, even if you don't attend Wednesday's service. In that case, please have your vehicle staged at St. Vincent's parking lot at 2:00 pm.

Eive had a heart of gold and was very, very family oriented. She loved her family dearly, and her smile and resounding laugh would light up a room in a minute. She was, in every way, a beautiful person, and folks were just inclined to be around her. She loved to help others, was always interested in what was happening in everyone else's lives, and always seemed to be around when someone was in need. She was also a prolific artist, and loved using all types of mediums (pencil, marker, paint or clay). Her family would say that she loved to draw on just about everything, and that when she ran out of things to draw on, she drew on herself, thus becoming an accomplished tattoo artist as well. She cherished the simple things in life like playing with children (especially her nephews), building complicated Lego structures and playing her video games.

However, there was a spark in Eive's heart that grew into a flame after her graduation from Elkhart Central High School in 2019. She knew that with her altruistic personality, she must do something meaningful with her life. She had been part of her school's ROTC program, so it was only natural that she serve in the military. It was her chance, she thought, to give back to all the people whom so graciously gave to her throughout her youth. At the time of her passing, Eive was serving as an Airman First Class at Minot Air Force Base in Minot, North Dakota, where she was part of the 5th Logistical Readiness Squadron, serving in supply material management. Because of her dedication to her duty, she was posthumously promoted to Senior Airman. She was also part of  Minot's AADD (Airman Against Drunk Driving), an organization that supplied sober volunteer drivers for anyone needing a ride home. She loved her service to her country, and was proud of her accomplishments in the Air Force, especially as a 20 year old.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial contributions be made to The Wounded Warriors Project or to the donor of one's choice Those wishing to leave condolences, personal messages or photographs may do so on Eive's obit page on the funeral home's website. Thank you for allowing Eive's life journey to touch your heart