Martha Koontz

Martha Koontz, 96, of Rockford, Ohio, died Monday, March 25, 2013, at 10:10 a.m. at the Laurels of Shane Hill where she had been a patient. She was born on March 11, 1917, in Willshire, Ohio. Parents were Odus Lee and Mary Hazel (Owens) Byer. On April 8, 1939, she married Homer Alan Koontz, who preceded her in death on March 2, 2005. Martha had lived her entire life in the area, and was a very active member of the Rockford United Methodist Church, where she had held the positions of secretary, treasurer, and board member; she was a very active member of the women's association, where she helped provide funeral dinners for families in the church. She retired from the Mercer County Farm Service Agency, where she had worked for twenty-two years; she also was a homemaker and helped Homer farm. In addition, she was a member of the Eastern Star in Rockford. Surviving is one son, Charles (Shari) Koontz of Rockford and one daughter, Claudia Grace Ray Noel of Greenville, North Carolina. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2013, at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, with Pastor Chip Steffy officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Rockford. Friends may call two hours prior to the service on Saturday, from 10:00 am up until the time of the service. Memorials may be directed to State of the Heart Hospice or to the Rockford United Methodist Church.