Martha Willbur

Martha E.  Willbur, Age 79, Of Battle Creek, Passed away peacefully on January 9, 2014, at the Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Residence. Martha was born on the Willis farm on July 15, 1934, to Rex and Julia Willis. The farm has been in the Willis family since 1849. Martha graduated from Olivet High School in 1952. That same year she met the love of her life, Gordon F. Willbur, who had just returned from the Korean War. They married in 1953 and lived in the house Gordon and his brothers built for them. They lived in their house all of their married life. Following graduation Martha worked for Dr. Brooks in Bellevue for 1 year until marriage. She was then hired by the Kellogg Company as the hourly payroll supervisor. She worked at the Kellogg Company for 30 years, retiring in 1984. She enjoyed her Kellogg years and still had many good friends from her years there. She was preceded in death by her husband Gordon of 59 years and her parents. Surviving is a brother, Howard (Phylis) Willis of Marshall; a sister, Myla Layton of Bradenton, FL; several dear sister-in-laws and many, many wonderful nieces and nephews as well as her friend of over 50 years, Kay Seitler. Martha belonged to the Kellogg 25 year Club and the Kellogg Retiree Association where she was secretary for nine years. Visitation will be held Sunday from 2 to 4:00 p.m. and 6 to 8:00 p.m., at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 13, 2014, at the funeral home. Interment will be at Fort Custer National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Humane Society of South Central MI, the American Heart Association or the Wounded Warrior Project. Special thanks to Passionate about People for caring for our family. Condolences may be made to the family to Mary Mogg, P.O. Box 35, Olivet, MI 49076. www.henryfuneralhome.org

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