MARTHA MARIE (Hohenshil Becker) Martin, age 97, peacefully went to be with her Lord on Thursday, August 25, 2022, at StoryPoint Powell North Assisted Living. She was born to Nellie Mae Howman Hohenshil and Guy R. Hohenshil in Chester Twp, Wayne County, New Pittsburgh, at her childhood home on October 15, 1924. She was married to Foster G. Becker for 33 years until his death in Sept. of 1979. Martha married John S. Martin of Ashland in June of 1981 after both of their spouses lost their lives to cancer. John and Martha were married for 22 years until John’s death in November of 2003.
Martha is preceded in death by Foster G. Becker, infant Millicent Marie Becker, John S. Martin, sisters Ruth Hohenshil Jackson, Grace Hohenshil Gortner, Richard Hohenshil, and their respective spouses, Donald Jackson, Ray Gortner, Allie and Coesta Hohenshil. Also preceded in death by a nephew Douglas (Anna May) Jackson.
Surviving are son and daughter, Roderic R. Becker of Fayetteville, GA, Victoria L. (Robert) Cromley of Powell, grandson Andrew F. (Kristina) Cromley of Lewis Center, granddaughter, Bethany (Robert) Wagner of Lithopolis, and 3 great grandchildren: Emmalynn Marie, Olivia Louise, and Robert Ashton Wagner, nieces and nephew, Shirley (Charles) Schenck of MI, Linda (Cliff) Earle of MI with children Seth and Brandon, Cindy (Sean) Graham of MI and son, Hunter, and Gerald (Doreen) Gortner of NY and their adult children and families. Also surviving are special niece Debby Martin of AZ, great nieces Crystal (Jeff) Thies of AZ and their adult children, Jett, Aspen, and Easton Thies, and Tiffany (Dan) Dinneen of Philadelphia, PA and their children, Ronin and Reagan. Martha is survived by many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, too many to name.
Martha graduated from Chester High School in 1942 after attending Hickory Grove Elementary School as well as Chester Junior High School. She attended and graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1946.
During her career as a teacher, she taught first at Fredericksburg High School: girls gym class, home economics, business, and geography; Smithville High School, Wooster High School, Triway High School, and the Wayne County Joint Vocational School (now called the Wayne Country Career Center), where she taught mostly business classes: typing, bookkeeping, and accounting.
After she retired from teaching, she enjoyed traveling to Arizona during the winter months with John, and traveled to New England states, Canada, Montana, and even made a trip to Switzerland, which was an endeavor in itself. She was active in attending Wayne County Retired Teachers, Ohio Retired Teachers, helping with decorating at holidays and working in the West View Auxiliary Gift Shop retiring at age 90, and attending Zion Lutheran Church. She enjoyed making several quilts in her retirement, both for herself, and for her children and grandchildren. She had quite the collection of red glass, which she enjoyed seeing on top of her kitchen cabinets.
A memorial service for Martha will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 2:00 PM at McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster led by Pastor Chris Adams. Inurnment will follow in Reedsburg Cemetery.
Friends will be received one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Kindred Hospice, 540 Officenter Pl., Ste 100, Gahanna, OH 43230 (kindredhospice.com), Zion Lutheran Church, 301 North Market St., Wooster, OH 44691, or Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 2480 W. Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus, OH 43235, or a place of your choice.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Kindred Hospice, 540 Officenter Pl., Ste 100, Gahanna, OH 43230 (kindredhospice.com), Zion Lutheran Church, 301 North Market St., Wooster, OH 44691, or Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 2480 W. Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus, OH 43235, or a place of your choice.
Friends will be received one hour prior to the service.
A memorial service for Martha will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 2:00 PM at McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster led by Pastor Chris Adams. Inurnment will follow in Reedsburg Cemetery.
Aunt Martha was a special lady. Smile on her face and always friendly.
Vicki I wanted to send my sincerest condolences on the loss of your mother. Now matter how much we prepare for the loss of a loved one its never easy, especial the loss of your mother. We not only develop relationships with our resident but also their family members and we feel this loss along with you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Tamie, From Story Point Powell South
My sincerest sympathy on the passing of your mother. I was so glad that my Mom (Hilda Flory) and Martha reunited their friendship in their retirement years. Mom enjoyed attending “coffee hour” with your Mom on Mondays while they both lived at Smithville Western Commons. I don’t think they missed any of their Chester High School class reunions for many years and glad we both had the opportunity to take them to their last class reunion. I still have some of the beautiful paper weights that your mother gave to my Mom when she moved away from Wooster to live closer to you. We both have many wonderful memories of our mothers.
I taught in the lab next to your mother at Wayne County Schools Career Center (The Joint)in the 1970’s. Everyone had the ultimate respect for your mother as she was a wonderful teacher. I can remember her like it was yesterday. My sincere sympathy for your loss. She was dedicated, spunky, caring, and fun.