Obituaries-03/02/17

Published 9:51 am Thursday, March 2, 2017

Martha Williams

Sept. 13, 1927 — March 1, 2017

Martha Christena Williams, 89, of Portsmouth, a former Franklin Furnace resident, passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at Hill View, surrounded by her family and a lifetime of love and memories. She was born Sept. 13, 1927, in Scioto County, a daughter of the late Carl John and Frieda Emma Knapp Gleim.
Martha was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church, where she had been active in the church choir, quilting circle and women’s groups throughout the years. A homemaker, she was a 1945 Wheelersburg High School graduate and a former Green Township Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary member.
Martha has been reunited with her husband, Everett Edward Williams, in Heaven. He preceded her in death, Feb. 7, 2016, after 68 years of marriage. They were wed at St. John on Jan. 2, 1948, and the family believes God created Everett and Martha so that the rest of us would know what marriage and family is supposed to be. Martha was a devoted wife and mother, and an exceptional role model of the Christian women.
She treasured her time with her children and their families, no matter how noisy or chaotic, because to her, it was always about family. She felt that her greatest contribution would be to shape the lives of those she left behind.
Martha is survived by two sons, Ricky Lee (Nancy) Williams and Johnny Ray (Rita) Williams, all of Franklin Furnace; three daughters, Patricia Ann (Larry) Poole, of Milford, Phyllis Jane (Thomas) Bussler, of Franklin Furnace, and Tracy Lynn (Andy) Riehl, of Lucasville; her brother, Donald Gleim, of Franklin Furnace; a sister, Joyce Maggard, of Franklin Furnace; 13 grandchildren, Andrea (Chris) Giordullo, Kyle (Rachel Heyl) Gifford, Kent (Natalie) Gifford, Wendy Queen, Kara (Shane) Tieman, Lance (Tyler Reidel) Williams, Laura (Joe) Briggs, Leigh Ann (Scott) Henry, Chris Williams, Dustin Williams, Patrick Riehl, Nathan Riehl and Jason (Michelle) Williams; and 19 great-grandchildren.
Also preceding her in death were two sons, Christopher Scott and Stephen Edward Williams; and three sisters, Velma Toler, Juanita Braden and Catherine Staker.
The family of both Martha and Everett extend a special thanks to the staff at Hill View for the devotion and compassionate care given to their parents.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Lutheran Church with the Rev. Carl Beck officiating and interment in St. John Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. Friday at the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth and one hour prior to services Saturday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. John Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 5600 Junior Furnace-Powellsville Rd. Franklin Furnace, OH 45629 and SOMC Hospice, 2201-25th St., Portsmouth, OH 45662. Online condolences may be shared at www.RalphFScott.com.

James Stark

James Marshall Stark, 90, of Chesapeake, died Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at home. Arrangements are pending at Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, Proctorville.