Martha J. Meyer

CENTERVILLE, Ind. - Martha J. Meyer, 89, longtime resident of Centerville, IN, and current resident of Good Samaritan Assisted Living in East Grand Forks, MN, passed away September 30, 2015, at Valley Eldercare Transitional Care Unit in Grand Forks, ND, after a brief illness. Her family was with her throughout her last weeks and at the time of her passing. Martha Jane Miller was born March 10, 1926, in the front bedroom of her parents' home in Bloomington, IN, to Calla Mary (May) Miller, a homemaker with a good business sense which Martha inherited, and William "Lynn" Miller, a plumber. The youngest girl and second youngest of six living children, Martha treasured her childhood memories and captivated her children with entertaining stories of this large loving family which included her impish adventures with her brother, Roger, repeatedly slipping food to their dog under the table to her parents’ chagrin, climbing the grapevine outside their house, sleeping on the unheated sleeping porch in a featherbed with her sisters warming each others’ feet, the college boarders her mother took in to help the family keep their home through the Great Depression, and on and on. This wonderful childhood sustained her throughout her entire life. Martha graduated with the class of 1944 from Bloomington High School where she was proud to be a thespian and was quite proud of the fact that she had been recruited as a young girl to act in high school plays. She loved acting and was quite good at it, we understand. Martha was also secretary of her class and was prom queen her senior year. She cherished her high school memories and friendships, and loyally returned to her class reunions. Following high school, she attended Indiana University for a couple of years. On a sad note, Martha lost her first love, Pete, and her closest brother, Roger, in WW2 and the Korean War, respectively. In 1945, Martha married a returning army lieutenant, Hugh Russell, who had been a paratrooper in WW2. Martha and Hugh were married for 15 years. They lived in Bloomington where Martha managed their dress shop while Hugh finished law school. They moved to Connersville, Indiana, to start his law practice and a family. Martha and Hugh had 3 children: Sue, Gail, and John. Martha took great pride in her family and home. Her children were the envy of the neighborhood kids because their mother was so pretty, full of fun, playful, and just plain cool. She had a knack of making everything fun. Martha preferred being outside to housework; mowing the lawn, working with her flowers, brushing or riding the horse. Martha remained young at heart her whole life. In her own words, "I never grew up!" Her children were always so proud of her style, her natural beauty, her amazing strength, and an unmatched ability to see the bright side of every situation, no matter how difficult or challenging. In 1962, Martha moved herself and her children to Richmond, IN. Shortly thereafter she married George Meyer. Thus began their nearly 45 year journey together, most of which was in the Centerville, IN, area. Martha loved the challenge of home remodeling and had quite the eye for making any house a warm and inviting home. Her ideas were often original, even inspiring. In fact, she and George spent many years restoring older homes way before it became a trend. They were the perfect team. Martha's son was involved as a young boy in these restorations and acquired her knack for innovative design and an ability to create beautiful homes. Martha later ran a bed and breakfast, Homestead Guest House, out of their 100 year old home she and George had restored. Also, after her children left home, Martha began providing childcare for select family friends. As adults these children would often speak of the lasting impact Martha, and later George (he joined her after he retired), had on their lives. She became like a second Mother or Grandmother to them. Such a sweet heart, no baby or dog could resist her! Martha was loved by all. Her home was full of laughter, unconditional love, and unwavering support. As a fabulous cook with a generous heart, no one left her home empty-handed. Martha had a way with flowers and she created a picturesque and colorful frame for her homes. Martha’s faith in God was evident in every aspect of her life. She prayed each night for her family and friends and was able to rest assured that God would take care of them. To say she believed in her children and encouraged their every endeavor would be an understatement. There was nothing she felt her children could not accomplish. She took her own advice and long before it was fashionable for women to be independent, she did things uncommon for women of her day with no second thoughts: a trait she passed on to both daughters. For instance, when women would never travel alone, Martha hauled one daughter’s horse across the country from Indiana to Colorado single-handedly. Later in life, she was the "designated driver” for her aging friends for outings after many were reluctant to drive. Yet when the time came, Martha decided herself to let her driving days be done. No one had to have "the talk” which took a weight off of her children’s shoulders. Unlike so many, Martha was always proud of her age and was looking forward to her 90th birthday. Martha had so looked forward to grandchildren and was overjoyed when the day came that she could be called "Granny," a name she chose for herself and wore with pride. Granny loved being involved in the lives of Jesse, Alia, and Jeremy, and she was just as hip of a granny as she had been a mother, amazing her grandkids with her feats and humor. Martha was fondly nicknamed "The Silver Tongued Fox" because she could talk you into anything. She could be opinionated, but she knew when to keep her opinions to herself. Maintaining close relationships was more important to her than winning some philosophical argument. Martha was strong-willed even stubborn at times, but this often worked in her favor. She was an eternal optimist, a dreamer, and a Pollyanna. Martha would not only find the silver lining in everything...she created it! What a legacy she left to those who love her! After George passed in June of 2007, her dog, Dusty, became an even more integral part of her life. In July of 2011, with the collaborative help of her 3 children, she relocated to North Dakota to be near one of her daughters. As was so characteristic of her, she never looked back, never entertained regrets. Her dog, Dusty, traveled with her and became her faithful and beloved companion in her new life. Even in these later years, she cared greatly about her appearance and continued to be a stylish dresser. People would describe her as a sweet and classy lady wherever she went. At Good Samaritan, she never missed a Bingo game. She loved puzzles and enjoyed Circle the Word to "keep her mind sharp." Martha was known for her sweet smile which she graciously shared, yet she always kept that impish sense of humor that delighted people. Mother, Granny, Martha we will miss you so very, very much!!! There will never be another person quite like you. May God hold you close forever. We promise to try our best to carry on your amazing legacy of “creating" silver linings where none can be found. Martha is survived by her children: Sue A. Russell, PhD, licensed Clinical Psychologist, Grand Forks, ND; Gail L. Littell, ND, licensed Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, Campbellsburg, IN; and John Alan Russell (James Ferry), Realtor, Los Angeles, CA. She is also survived by 3 grandchildren: Alia (Shawn) Eaker, Florissant, MO; Jesse (Valerie) Littell, Bluffton, IN; and Jeremy (Brooke) Littell, Indianapolis, IN; 9 great-grandchildren with 1 on the way: Caleb, Kiersten and Elijah Hamilton (Florissant, MO); August, Tate, Lucas, and Elliot Littell (Indianapolis); Jessica and Vivian Littell and baby boy on the way (Bluffton, IN); 2 step-great-grandchildren: Addison and Mackenzie Eaker; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Martha was preceded in death by her parents; her first and second husbands; all of her siblings: Charles (Catherine) Miller, Ellen (Charles) Campbell, Alfred (Martha) Miller, Bette (James) Nesbit, Roger Miller, and Mary Ann Miller; and her grandson-in-law, Eric Hamilton. A memorial service will be held for Martha at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, November 1, 2015, at Doddridge Chapel, 9471 Chapel Road, Centerville, IN, and she will be laid to rest next to George Meyer in the Doddridge Chapel Cemetery. Doan & Mills Funeral Home of Richmond, IN, will be handling arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com or mailed to Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond, IN 47374. For those who wish to give a gift, the family requests that gifts be dedicated in Martha’s name and sent to: Help the Animals, Inc. (the animal shelter where she got her beloved dog, Dusty), 2101 W. Main St., Richmond, IN 47374 or you may call (765) 962-6811 and give a contribution by phone.

Martha J. Meyer

March 10, 1926 - September 30, 2015