1942
Mary
2025
Mary Martin
November 4, 1942 — February 7, 2025
Mary Catherine (Montgomery) Martin, 82, of Chillicothe, Ohio, passed away peacefully Friday, February 7, 2025, at Adena Regional Medical Center following a brief, unexpected illness.
Mary was born at home on November 4, 1942, to the late Richard and Dora (Rigdon) Montgomery of Mt. Orab, Ohio. She married William ("Willie") Pence Martin on June 1, 1963.
Preceded in death by her father, mother, husband, and granddaughter, Victoria Marie, she is survived by her sons William Pence II (Christine) of Fort Thomas, KY, and Richard Oakley (Michelle) of Cold Spring, KY; and grandchildren Abigail Grace, Timothy Andrew, William Pence III, Cameron Montgomery, MIDN 2/C Dominic Edward, Annamae Rose, Jonah Alexander, Emmalyn Noell, and Christopher Michael.
Born and raised in Mt. Orab, Ohio, Mary was a graduate of Mt. Orab High School, earned an associate degree in business from Fugazzi Business College, and attended Morehead State University and Ohio University Chillicothe. She and Willie spent nearly their entire married life in Chillicothe where she enjoyed 26 years of service at Ross County Job and Family Services Children's Division and several years working part time at W&W Cleaners. Being mother to her sons and Granny to her grandchildren was the joy of her life in addition to cooking and baking for family gatherings, decorating for holidays, and tending her flowers.
A member of Walnut Street United Methodist Church for more than 35 years, she was active in the choir and Miriam Rebecca Circle as well as a founding contributor of Wee Care, Inc. helping pregnant young mothers and fathers finish high school.
Mary actively served her community on several boards, including Burton Stevenson Foundation, the Thrift Shop, and Frontier Community Services. For more than 50 years she and Willie shared involvement with the developmentally disabled of Ross County. She was a member of the American Association of University Women, League of Women Voters, Good Samaritan, Farmers Union, and Order of Eastern Star #419 where she served as Past Matron and Mother Advisor to Rainbow Girls.
During their 59 years of marriage, she and Willie treasured traveling to all 50 states and all provinces of Canada as well as Israel, Germany, Italy, China, and Panama. Along with traveling, they delighted in attending their grandchildren's plays, recitals, athletic events, and graduations. They were deeply proud of their large family and grateful for all the blessings they shared.
The family will receive friends and loved ones from 3:00 to 5:00 pm on Sunday, February 16 at Haller Funeral Home and Crematory, Chillicothe. An Eastern Star service will be held at 5:00 on Sunday at Haller's. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, February 17 at Walnut Street United Methodist Church, Main Street, Chillicothe. Mary will be laid to rest beside Willie at Mt. Orab Cemetery at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to benefit the living may be made to First Capital Enterprises, Frontier Community Services, Walnut Street United Methodist Church Choir or Christ Community Kitchen, or the Chillicothe Thrift Shop .
Mary was born at home on November 4, 1942, to the late Richard and Dora (Rigdon) Montgomery of Mt. Orab, Ohio. She married William ("Willie") Pence Martin on June 1, 1963.
Preceded in death by her father, mother, husband, and granddaughter, Victoria Marie, she is survived by her sons William Pence II (Christine) of Fort Thomas, KY, and Richard Oakley (Michelle) of Cold Spring, KY; and grandchildren Abigail Grace, Timothy Andrew, William Pence III, Cameron Montgomery, MIDN 2/C Dominic Edward, Annamae Rose, Jonah Alexander, Emmalyn Noell, and Christopher Michael.
Born and raised in Mt. Orab, Ohio, Mary was a graduate of Mt. Orab High School, earned an associate degree in business from Fugazzi Business College, and attended Morehead State University and Ohio University Chillicothe. She and Willie spent nearly their entire married life in Chillicothe where she enjoyed 26 years of service at Ross County Job and Family Services Children's Division and several years working part time at W&W Cleaners. Being mother to her sons and Granny to her grandchildren was the joy of her life in addition to cooking and baking for family gatherings, decorating for holidays, and tending her flowers.
A member of Walnut Street United Methodist Church for more than 35 years, she was active in the choir and Miriam Rebecca Circle as well as a founding contributor of Wee Care, Inc. helping pregnant young mothers and fathers finish high school.
Mary actively served her community on several boards, including Burton Stevenson Foundation, the Thrift Shop, and Frontier Community Services. For more than 50 years she and Willie shared involvement with the developmentally disabled of Ross County. She was a member of the American Association of University Women, League of Women Voters, Good Samaritan, Farmers Union, and Order of Eastern Star #419 where she served as Past Matron and Mother Advisor to Rainbow Girls.
During their 59 years of marriage, she and Willie treasured traveling to all 50 states and all provinces of Canada as well as Israel, Germany, Italy, China, and Panama. Along with traveling, they delighted in attending their grandchildren's plays, recitals, athletic events, and graduations. They were deeply proud of their large family and grateful for all the blessings they shared.
The family will receive friends and loved ones from 3:00 to 5:00 pm on Sunday, February 16 at Haller Funeral Home and Crematory, Chillicothe. An Eastern Star service will be held at 5:00 on Sunday at Haller's. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, February 17 at Walnut Street United Methodist Church, Main Street, Chillicothe. Mary will be laid to rest beside Willie at Mt. Orab Cemetery at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to benefit the living may be made to First Capital Enterprises, Frontier Community Services, Walnut Street United Methodist Church Choir or Christ Community Kitchen, or the Chillicothe Thrift Shop .
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Martin, please visit our flower store.
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