Janet I. Martin, 89, of New Holland, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, March 28 at Garden Spot Village with family by her side.
Born in Hinkletown two days before Christmas in 1929, she was the oldest daughter of the late Benjamin Z. and Elsie Hershey Mellinger. She was the devoted and happy wife of the late J. Harold Martin, her childhood sweetheart, with whom she celebrated 55 years of marriage before his death in 2005.
As the teenaged daughter of the local Ford dealer, she would often be dispatched to pick up auto parts around the county which helped develop her keen sense of direction. She grew up with a love for travel and adventure, and was a lifelong Phillies fan. She was also a formidable Scrabble opponent, and in recent years most especially enjoyed playing Words with Friends online with her grandchildren.
She was a founding and active member of Bethany Grace Fellowship Church, East Earl, where she faithfully served in many roles. Her love for the Lord was evident in the way she lived and loved others, and her greatest earthly joys were her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, in whom she invested much time and interest.
To them and many others she was a faithful prayer warrior and steady encourager.
She is survived by her sons, John (Judy) Lancaster, Jim (Laurie) Lancaster, Ben (Holly), Clark, CO., and daughters Carla, wife of Bruce Eberly, East Earl, and Kendra, wife of Terance Walsh, Malvern. Also surviving are 19 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and her sister, Dottie, wife of Faren VanDeGrift, Sarasota, Fla.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two great granddaughters, Hope Miller and Emma Umstattd, and her brother, Wilbur H. “Biz” Mellinger.
A memorial service honoring Janet’s life will be held at Bethany Grace Fellowship Church, 400 Reading Road, East Earl, on Saturday, April 20 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Chris Smeltz officiating. Family and friends will be received at the church before the service from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Interment will be private.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Garden Spot Village and Hospice & Community Care for the wonderful care and attention they provided for Janet.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Garden Spot Village Benevolent Fund, 433 S. Kinzer Ave, New Holland, PA 17557.