Martha Louise (Nall) Mendenhall

Martha Louise Mendenhall, 103 ½ , of Kokomo and a former Marion resident, with a keen mind and a zest for life, passed away Saturday, August 10, 2019, at Primrose Retirement Center.  Although she enjoyed life at Primrose, she cherished her independence.  She was born January 27, 1916, in Portland, Indiana, the daughter of the Rev. Jessie Haywood and Alda Lee (Johnson) Nall.  On June 11, 1937, she married Joseph Corwin Mendenhall, who preceded her in death July 15, 1984.

Martha was a 1933 graduate of Portland High School.  She received her Bachelor of Art Degree from Ball State University in 1957 and her Master Degree from Ball State in 1969.  She taught elementary education with a life license at the following schools: Portland School System, Ridgeville School System, Gas City, Jonesboro and retired from Marion School System in 1983.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Marion, Grace United Methodist Church, Kokomo, the Eastern Star Lodge in Portland, the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Indiana Retired Teachers Association.  While a member of the Marion YMCA, she was honored for swimming 50 miles.  She enjoyed the game of Bridge, belonging to several clubs, and square dancing with her husband.

Joe and Martha, while living in Marion, enjoyed spending winters in Florida.  After Joe’s death, Martha became a full-time Florida resident.  She moved to Kokomo in 2011 to be near family.

Survivors include daughter, Jo Anne Harmon, Kokomo; son, James David Mendenhall (Cheryl), Henderson, Nevada; daughter, Judy Sue Worrell (W. Robert), Hopkins, Minnesota; ten grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Ruth Nall and Virginia Lay; one brother, Kephart Nall; one grandson, Scott Mendenhall; and her son-in-law, Myron “Bud” Harmon.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Martha will be at 12:30 p.m., Monday, August 19, 2019, at Grace United Methodist Church, 219 W. Mulberry St., Kokomo, with Pastors Larry Newberg and Chiyona Bourne officiating.  Friends may call from 11:30 a.m. until service time at the church on Monday.  A luncheon will be held following the service for friends and family.  Burial will be in the Estates of Serenity, Marion, preceding the services. Memorials may be made to Kokomo Urban Outreach, 1701 S. Locke St., Kokomo, 46902, to CAM, 210 N. Market St. #1, Kokomo, IN, 46901 or to Grace United Methodist Church.  Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.  Shirley & Stout Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

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