Sylvia Ethel Martin

Sylvia Ethel Schrock Martin, 88, of Goshen, died Wednesday, January 16, 2013, at Greencroft Healthcare. She was born July 11, 1924 on a farm on County Road 9 in rural Goshen, to William Metzler and Mary Ethel (Van Scoik) Schrock. She married Dale Ernest Martin August 21, 1949 at the Dunlap Evangelical United Brethren Church. He preceded her in death August 11, 2003. She is survived by three sons, Dennis D. (Carol) Martin of Chicago, Gary E. (Patricia) Martin of Goshen, and Stanley W. (Julie) Martin of Bonnes Ferry, Idaho; 15 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary E. (Robert) Hill, Elora, Ontario, Canada; and two brothers, Herman (Lois) Schrock of Goshen, and Lloyd (Arlene) Schrock of Pittsboro. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, L. Brian Martin; a sister, Emogene Reed; and a brother, Roscoe Schrock. Before her marriage she and her family were active members of Bethel Mennonite Brethren in Christ (United Missionary) Church, including summer camp meetings at the Prairie Campgrounds. A 1942 graduate of Wakarusa High School, she earned a degree in elementary education from Goshen College in 1946. Beginning in 1946, with several interruptions, Sylvia devotedly and inventively taught elementary school children for 19 years in Concord, Goshen and Warsaw public schools, focusing on first and second grade and learning to read. With her husband, she enjoyed many summertime stays at a lakeside cottage on Manitoulin Island, Ontario, near her sister and brother-in-law's farm. At the time of her death she was a member of West Goshen Church of the Brethren. Family and friends may call 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, January 20, 2013 at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home. A private family prayer service, with burial at Yellow Creek Cemetery, will be held, with a public memorial service in March. Memorial donations may be given to the Greencroft Foundation.