Martha Mae Wilder
September 11th, 1927 - January 24th, 2023
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Martha's Obituary
Martha Mae Wilder, 95, of St. Joseph, MI passed away on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at the Hanson Hospice Center. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel – 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI.
Martha was born on September 11, 1927 in Benton Harbor, MI to the late Arthur and Florence (Keller) Herman. She was a 1945 graduate of Benton Harbor High School. While in high school she took nursing aide classes at Mercy Hospital and worked as an aide at the hospital. On November 11, 1945, at the First Baptist Church in Benton Harbor, she married the love of her life, Francis Wilder. They remained married for 67 years until his passing on November 23, 2012.
While raising her children in St. Joseph, Martha was a cub scout and girl scout leader. She was active in the First Baptist Church, working with children in vacation Bible School and serving on the Social Committee for many years. Martha was a regular blood donor at the local Red Cross, donating over 12 gallons. She also volunteered at the Shoreham Nursing Home for more than 15 years.
Martha was an energetic and enthusiastic heart volunteer since joining the local Berrien County Unit of the American Heart Association in the late 1960’s. Through the years, as a Board member, she served as President, Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity Chairman, Fund-Raising Chairman, and Delegate to the Delegate Assembly. While serving, she initiated the development of a multi-agency Stroke Club. In 1981, she was presented the Volunteer of the Year award for the Berrien County heart unit, and received the Mary Bowman Volunteer of the Year Award for the American Heart Association of Michigan at the Delegate Assembly in 1985.
Martha is survived by her children – D. Dee Wilder (George) Zelznak of Portland, OR, Douglas Wilder of Julian, CA, and Cindy (Dave) Wreggit of Poulsbo, WA, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by brothers Arthur, Don, and Ernie, and sisters Irene and Darlene. She was loved by all who knew her and will be sorely missed.
Visitation with the family will be on February 9th, from 5 to 7 PM, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel in St. Joseph. There will be a private burial at North Shore Memory Gardens with the family. A Memorial Service will be held on March 18th at 11AM, at the First Baptist Church in St. Joseph – 902 Broad St., St. Joseph, MI. Memorial contributions in Martha’s name may be made to the First Baptist Church and Caring Circle Hospice. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
Martha was born on September 11, 1927 in Benton Harbor, MI to the late Arthur and Florence (Keller) Herman. She was a 1945 graduate of Benton Harbor High School. While in high school she took nursing aide classes at Mercy Hospital and worked as an aide at the hospital. On November 11, 1945, at the First Baptist Church in Benton Harbor, she married the love of her life, Francis Wilder. They remained married for 67 years until his passing on November 23, 2012.
While raising her children in St. Joseph, Martha was a cub scout and girl scout leader. She was active in the First Baptist Church, working with children in vacation Bible School and serving on the Social Committee for many years. Martha was a regular blood donor at the local Red Cross, donating over 12 gallons. She also volunteered at the Shoreham Nursing Home for more than 15 years.
Martha was an energetic and enthusiastic heart volunteer since joining the local Berrien County Unit of the American Heart Association in the late 1960’s. Through the years, as a Board member, she served as President, Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity Chairman, Fund-Raising Chairman, and Delegate to the Delegate Assembly. While serving, she initiated the development of a multi-agency Stroke Club. In 1981, she was presented the Volunteer of the Year award for the Berrien County heart unit, and received the Mary Bowman Volunteer of the Year Award for the American Heart Association of Michigan at the Delegate Assembly in 1985.
Martha is survived by her children – D. Dee Wilder (George) Zelznak of Portland, OR, Douglas Wilder of Julian, CA, and Cindy (Dave) Wreggit of Poulsbo, WA, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by brothers Arthur, Don, and Ernie, and sisters Irene and Darlene. She was loved by all who knew her and will be sorely missed.
Visitation with the family will be on February 9th, from 5 to 7 PM, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel in St. Joseph. There will be a private burial at North Shore Memory Gardens with the family. A Memorial Service will be held on March 18th at 11AM, at the First Baptist Church in St. Joseph – 902 Broad St., St. Joseph, MI. Memorial contributions in Martha’s name may be made to the First Baptist Church and Caring Circle Hospice. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
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