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Martha Louise Hochstetler, age 94, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2020 at Heartland Nursing Home. She was born October 28, 1925 in South Bend, a daughter of Martin and Hazel (Buckingham) Garrett. She had one brother, Robert, and one twin sister, Marian. She attended elementary school in Glenwood, MI and graduated from Dowagiac High in 1943. Continuing her education, she acquired her teaching certificate and taught at the elementary level.
In 1944, she met her “husband to be”, Don, and they were married June 23, 1946 in Dowagiac, by Pastor Fox. As a loving wife and mother, her entire life was devoted to putting the needs of others before herself, especially her children. Family was her gift from God. As a lifelong member of Messiah Lutheran Church, she served as a Sunday School Teacher, President of the Women’s Group, Delegate to their Conventions, participated in the early Food Bank, delivered holiday food baskets plus baking pies, cakes, and other food for funerals and special occasions.
Her main hobby was sewing and she made many dresses for her granddaughters. Also, she served as a 4-H leader in this capacity for many years. After the children were through elementary, she was employed in mobile home manufacturing, obtained a realtor sales certificate and partnered with Don in buying/remodeling single family homes. She loved to travel and attend the sporting events of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Don, one brother Robert Garrett of South Bend, a twin sister Marian Watson of Edwardsburg, and two sons Timothy and Ronald Hochstetler.
Surviving are her children: Patricia (Randy) McClain of Three Rivers, Raymond (Debra) Hochstetler of Three Rivers, Thomas Hochstetler of Three Rivers, and daughter-in-law Mary Hochstetler of Constantine; grandchildren Patrick (Tina) Hochstetler of Constantine, Teresa (Todd) Haifley of Three Rivers, Steven (Natasha) McClain of Battle Creek, Rusty (Sheena) McClain of Three Rivers, Jamie (Marc) Poel of Kalamazoo, Christy (Scott) Johnson of Portage, Todd (Andrea) Hochstetler of Charlotte, Nicole (Kalie) Bovee of Battle Creek, Amanda Hochstetler of Sturgis, and Stephanie (Steve) Allen of Howell; great grandchildren Dalton and Dylan Hochstetler, Jett and Ellana Haifley, Alexis and Delainey Poel, Ayla and Mila Hochstetler, Kylee and Colton Johnson, Mackenzie and Audrina Haley, and Marshall Allen; and several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends will be received Sunday from 2 to 5PM at Eley Funeral Home, Constantine. Religious services will be held on Monday at 11AM at Constantine Messiah Lutheran Church. Interment will follow in Constantine Cemetery. Memorials can be given to the church. Online messages can be left for the family at www.eleyfuneralhomes.com.
