Gathal Martin

Gathal Grace Martin, age 98, of Elsie, Michigan died Monday, March 29, 2010 at Welcome Home Adult Foster Care.

A Memorial Service will be held at Elsie United Methodist Church on June 10, 2010 at 11:30 A.M. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, Michigan.

Gathal was born in Chapin, Michigan on October 31, 1911, the daughter of George and Zetta (Pearce) Bell; she graduated from Elsie High School. On June 26, 1930 she married Robert Dilts Martin in Toledo, Ohio, Robert died in 1974. From 1940 to 1945 Gathal helped her husband Robert publish The Elsie Sun, a weekly newspaper in Elsie, Michigan and for 17 years she worked along side her husband Robert after he had purchased another weekly newspaper, The Ovid Register Union. She was a member of Elsie United Methodist Church, and a Past Worthy Matron and life member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Elsie chapter. She was also a member of the Elsie Historical Society.

She is survived by her daughter Sharon Ann and Harold Olney of Flint, MI, son Jeff and Janice Martin of Middleton WI, 5 grandchildren; Deborah and Marvin Bosworth of Gaines, MI, Kent and Beth Olney of Bourbonnais, IL, Martin and Diane Olney of Riverside, CA, Joel and Mary Martin of St. Michael, MN, Jonathan and Erika Martin of Corvallis, Oregon, 10 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, 1 granddaughter Julie Harryman, 1 sister, Donna Burdick & 1 brother, Lester Bell.

Memorials may be made to the Elsie United Methodist Church or the Elsie Public Library. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie Chapel Elsie, Michigan.

Read Gathal Martin 's Obituary and Guestbook on smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.