Marti Thompson

Martha “Marti” Thompson, age 77, passed away peacefully Saturday morning, May 27, 2023, at her apartment in Greencroft, Goshen, after an extended illness.

Marti was born at the former Luckey Hospital in Wolf Lake, Noble County, Indiana, on July 20, 1945, to Glenn E and Mary I (Pepple) Stauffer. She married Terry Thompson on September 5, 1965, in Osceola. Terry preceded her in death in August 2016.

She spent her earlier years living in several locations where her father served in Church of the Brethren ministries, including Maine, Chicago, Southern Illinois, and Alabama.

She spent her teenage years in Elkhart County, graduating from Jimtown High School in 1963.

After High School she served with the Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS), working at a daycare for children of migrant workers in Belle Glade, Florida, and as an administrative assistant at the BVS headquarters in New Windsor, Maryland.  It was during BVS that she met her future husband.

Terry and Marti spent most of their married lives in Milford. She worked in administrative positions for several organizations in the area, including 17 years at Goshen College, and 5 years at Grace Brethren International Missions (GBIM) in Winona Lake, where she provided logistical support for short-term mission trips. In 2004, she went on a short-term mission with GBIM to the Philippines.

Marti was actively involved with many Brethren congregations in the area, serving as a deacon, pianist, church secretary, and member of the choir.

She was also active with the Special Olympics, where she and Terry provided support to athletes at many events. Marti also served on the Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities and was a strong advocate for families with special-needs children.

She enjoyed reading, socializing with friends, working on puzzles, playing games, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Over her life, she traveled to several parts in the US including Hawaii, Alaska, many National Parks in the West, and to the light houses on Lake Michigan.

Marti is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Richard “Rick” and Amy Thompson, Baltimore, Maryland, daughter Beth Ann Thompson, Goshen, and three granddaughters: Megan Thompson, Mishawaka, Lauren Thompson, Baltimore, and Alexandra Thompson, Baltimore. Also surviving are her sister and husband Carolyn and Lester Krull, Goshen, brother and wife Harvey “Ole Harv” and Armida Stauffer, South Bend, sisters-in-law, Janine Katonah, Davis, California, Roma Jo Thompson, Bridgewater, Virginia, and Madilyn Brown, Bradenton, Florida, sister-in-law and husband, Joy and William Sauder, Churubusco, and several cousins, nephews, and nieces.

Marti was an outgoing and kind-hearted soul who will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

The family will receive visitors between 2 pm to 4 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm on Wednesday, May 31 at Creekside Church of the Brethren, CR 113 Elkhart. A funeral service will be held at Creekside at 11 am on Thursday, June 1 with Pastor Rosanna McFadden officiating. A graveside service and burial will occur at 11 am Friday, June 2 at the Riverside Cemetery, West Milton, Ohio, Reverend Tim Scroggs presiding.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Marti’s honor can be sent to Special Olympics Indiana, 6200 Technology Center Dr #105, Indianapolis, IN 46278; https://soindiana.org/ , Camp Mack, PO Box 158, Milford, IN 46542; https://www.campmack.org/ , or Heifer International, 1 World Ave., Little Rock, AR 72202; https://www.heifer.org .

Yoder-Culp Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.