Mary Martin

Mary E. Martin, age 91, of Kalamazoo, MI went to be with the Lord on Monday, December 12, 2016. Mary was born on May 5, 1925, in Ionia, Michigan the daughter of the late William and Irene (Hissong) Yerge. She graduated from Kalamazoo Central in 1945 and attended American Beauty College. She married Alden F. "Doc" Martin in Kalamazoo on November 9, 1946. He preceded her in death on July 19, 2011. During her career, Mary owned her own beauty shop, worked as a seamstress, and worked as a line supervisor at Upjohn until she retired in 1986. Mary is known for her love of family, artistic creativity, gardening, crocheting, crafts, and collections (of which the most notable was her huge salt and pepper collection). She was a wonderful cook, gracious hostess, kind, thoughtful, and generous. In retirement years, she and her husband built a vacation home on Little Bass Lake and enjoyed many years there entertaining. Mary is survived by her son Phillip of Kalamazoo, daughters Janice (James) White of Portage and Barbara (Roy) Smith of Delton, grandchildren: Kristina (Joe) Miller, Cindy (Trent) Hayward, six great grandchildren: Daley, Nikolai, Reilly, Darby, Megan, Macy, sister Virgiline Percival, sister-in-law, Robbie Yerge, nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. She was also preceded in death by her brothers: Leo, Ed, and Sylvester Yerge, and sisters: Mildred Frisbey, Katherine Smith, and Teresa Abraham. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Monday, December 19, 2016, from 11:00 to 12:00 followed by a funeral service beginning at 12:00PM, with Rev. Jim Dyke officiating. Memorial contributions may be given to Park Village Pines or Hospice Care of S.W. Michigan, c/o of the funeral home.