Martha Louise Welling

Oct. 8, 1945 - Jan. 10, 2016

Martha L. Welling, 70, residing in South Bend, IN passed away at 5:00 AM Sunday, January 10, 2016 at her home.

Martha was born on October 8, 1945 in Marion, IN to the late Carl and Augusta (Ricks) Ketchum. On June 15, 1974 in South Bend, IN she married James E. Welling, Sr. who survives.

Along with her husband, James; she is survived by her daughter, Anne (Bobby) Stephens of South Bend; two sons, Paul Welling of South Bend and James E. (Rosie) Welling, II. of South Bend; and two grandchildren, Jonathan and Martha Alsip.

Marty graduated from John Adams High School in South Bend in 1963 and earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Elementary Education from Indiana University. She began teaching at Marquette Elementary School in 1967 and in 1989 moved to Greene, where she retired in 2003. After she retired she returned to the classroom as a substitute teacher until her health finally said “Marty, slow down!” For “something to do”, she worked part time at Martin’s #4 on Ironwood in Mishawaka for nearly 16 years, all of that time in the Deli.

Marty joined Valley Chapter No. 594, Order of the Eastern Star in December of 1963, and served many times as it’s Worthy Matron over 52 years. She also was a member of Aretas Temple No. 153, Daughters of the Nile in Michigan City, where she served as Queen twice. Other memberships include White Shrine of Jerusalem and the Order of the Amaranth.

Funeral service and Eastern Star service will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, January 14, 2016 at Palmer Funeral Home-River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend, IN. Rev. Ernie Troxel, pastor of Sumption Prarie United Methodist Church will officiate. Graveside services and burial will follow in Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend. Friends may visit with the family from 3:00 – 8:00 PM Wednesday in the funeral home. Daughters of the Nile service will be held at 7:00 PM Wednesday evening.

Contributions in memory of Martha Welling may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children-Chicago

Unit, 2211 North Oak Park Avenue, Chicago, IL 60707-3392 or to Daughters of the Nile Foundation, 6705 Mesa Drive, Austin, TX 78731-2817.

05/14/2021 DEC