Mrs. Jeanette (Keller) Martin, 98, of East Bertrand Road, Niles, Mich., died following a brief illness at 7 a.m. Friday, Aug. 13, 2004, West Woods of Niles.
She was born on Dec. 20, 1905, in Bertrand Township, Mich., to Lawrence M. and Bessie (Reynolds) Keller Sr., and had lived in this area most of her life. She graduated from Dowagiac (Michigan) High School and attended Teacher's Normal School.
She taught school in Cass County, Mich., and then was employed by the United States Department of Labor for more than 20 years, retiring in 1977.
Mrs. Martin served on several Niles Township boards including the Charter Commission of 1968. She also served the community by volunteering with the service leagues. She enjoyed reading, especially current events, and completing crossword puzzles. She loved her family, studied its history, and enjoyed caring for the current generations.
On Dec. 31, 1938, in South Bend, Ind., she was married to Raymond Irving Martin, who preceded her in death on Jan. 23, 1980. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Dorothy Dreher in 2001 and Kathryn Barnhard in 2000; and by four brothers, Harry Keller in 2000, Gene Keller in 1997, John Keller in 1999 and Lawrence Keller Jr. in 1998.
Surviving family includes her sons, James K. Martin of Indianapolis, Ind., and William I. Martin of Columbia City, Ind.; a grandson, Christopher D. Martin; her sister, Virginia McCarthy of Benton Harbor, Mich.; and by many nieces and nephews including Marcia Brubaker of Niles, who provided much of Jeanette's care.
Funeral services for Jeanette Keller Martin will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 16, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. Dr. Ronald H. Wakeman of First Presbyterian Church, Niles, officiating. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home.
Contributions in memory of Mrs. Martin may be made to the Patient Activity Fund of West Woods of Niles or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.