Martha Jane Deardorff, 91, of Rochester, Indiana, died at 1:52 pm, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at Peabody Healthcare Center in North Manchester. She was born on July 18, 1933, in Kokomo, Indiana, to Charles E. and Hazel (Hostetler) Smith.
Martha was a 1951 graduate of Northwestern High School in Howard County. While raising her children, Martha partnered in the family dairy farm, milking and doing other farm chores. Once her kids were out of school, she worked various jobs, including, the B.M.V., J.C. Penney's, and also State Farm Insurance all in Peru. Martha moved to Rochester in November 2012, from rural Roann where she lived since 1956. She was active in the Gilead United Methodist Church as well as the Denver Brethren Church. She was a member of the Perry Do-Rite Home Ec Club, was a 4-H leader, and a 10 year volunteer at Duke's Memorial Hospital in Peru. Martha enjoyed square dancing, sewing and alterations, attending the grandkids events, and loved life.
She is survived by five children, Deb (Mike) Coffing of Huntington, Indiana, Thomas (Raquel) Deardorff of Lafayette, Indiana, Timothy (Kim) Deardorff of Rossville, Indiana, Mark (Loretta) Deardorff of Macy, Indiana, and Brad (Shari) Deardorff of Logansport, Indiana; 16 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; and 2 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, six brothers, and four sisters.
Funeral services will be 3:00 pm, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash. Friends may call 12:30-3:00 pm Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at the funeral home.
Preferred memorial is North Miami Athletic Department.
The memorial guest book for Martha may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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