Martha Ellen Jones

Martha Ellen Eaton Jones was born in 1924, the second child of her proud parents, Troy and Frances Eaton. Martha was welcomed by her older brother, John William Charles, known as Bill (Lois Jones) and later, by her younger sister Mary Catherine (Bob Woodruff), and brothers, Robert (Martha Reid), and James (Jo Thurston). Martha grew up during the depression and learned how to be thrifty and clever at a young age. In grade school, she also developed her maternal skills by serving as a “little mother” to her younger siblings.

Martha excelled at mathematics and Latin in high school where she took particular delight in outperforming all the boys on the exams. Upon graduation from high school, she received a scholarship to attend Indiana State University, but decided to forego college to help support her family financially. She accepted a job at the Delco-Remy factory in Anderson where she oversaw the inspection of magnetos for airplanes during the early war efforts. Her position at Delco-Remy proved pivotal in her life, as it is where she met the love of her life, Gordon Francis Jones, who became her husband and life partner of 68 years. Martha began her marriage journey as a war bride in 1944, traveling to Walla Walla, Washington where Gordon was stationed before his deployment to Okinawa, Japan.

Despite Martha's loud pronouncement that she sure “did not want to marry a farmer” when first introduced to Gordon, she soon settled down happily on their 80-acre farm in Summitville, as soon as Gordon's overseas tour of duty ended. There, they raised four children: Linda (Skidmore), Christine (Gillespie, husband, John), Aletha (husband Philip Wiseley), and Jeffrey (wife, Elaine Kovalcik). Martha was a member of the Summitville United Methodist Church, and was highly active with the church fund-raising Bazaars and the various chicken and noodle suppers.

In her later years, Martha enjoyed trips with Gordon to Hawaii, Alaska, New England, and Florida. After Gordon's death in 2012, Martha enjoyed special trips with her children to Chicago and Florida. After her move to Westminster Village, Martha developed a new community of friends, while remaining engaged with local and current affairs. She loved her extended family gatherings with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchild.

As she grew especially close to her caregivers at Westminster Village, she also became increasingly concerned about the spread of the Coronavirus to the health care workers who worked on the front lines during this crisis. She was troubled by the long lines at the food pantries across the country. She told her children that she did not want her death to jeopardize the health or well-being of others, and her final request was to not have a funeral plan that would put anyone at risk. In honoring Martha's final wish, there will be no funeral service. Rather than gathering for a visitation or a service, we children ask that you hold Martha in a special place in your heart. In lieu of flowers, and to honor Martha's final wishes during these troubled times, we ask that all who wish to participate, please make a donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, Second Helpings, or other food charity serving all those who are in need.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Martha Ellen Jones, please visit our floral store.