WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Martha Schwartz, age 79, passed away on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis where she had been a resident since 2019. She was born August 31, 1944 in Centreville, a daughter of Harvey and Elizabeth (Slaubaugh) Borkholder and attended the Nottawa Stone School.
On December 22, 1963 she married Jacob B. Schwartz at Locust Grove Mennonite Church. He preceded her in death on March 27, 2018.
Martha was a member of Locust Grove Mennonite Church and loved listening to their praise team. She also enjoyed sewing, embroidery, word search, and puzzle books. She and Jacob were instrumental in the creation of the St. Joseph County Jail Chaplaincy program, where she graded hundreds of Bible lessons for inmates, prayed endlessly, and served as treasurer. Most of all, Martha was a devoted and loving wife, mother, and grandmother – she cherished her family.
Surviving are her children: son Doug (Kim) Schwartz, Burr Oak; daughter Theresa (Robert) Danberry, Sturgis; daughter Karen Bowdish, Galesburg; son Steve (Candace) Schwartz, Mishawaka; grandchildren Justin Schwartz, Dylan Schwartz, Amber (Wes) Dove, Alisha (Bennett) Ahrens, Jordan Bowdish, Nicole Bowdish, and Brandi (Drew) Frederick, great grandchildren Jonah and Dane Dove; and siblings Marvin (Mary) Borkholder, Alice (Mel) Frey, Kenny (Mary) Borkholder, Mary (Herb) Miller, LeRoy (Clara) Borkholder, Ruby (Delbert) Slabaugh, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Kathryn Borkholder, a stillborn sister, and sister in law Carol Borkholder.
Relatives and friends will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, October 16 at Locust Grove Mennonite Church. Relatives and friends are invited to an interment at 10 am on Tuesday, October 17 at Locust Grove Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will follow at 11 am Tuesday at Locust Grove Mennonite Church with Pastor Rodger Moyer officiating. Memorial contributions may be directed to Locust Grove Mennonite Church. Sign Martha’s online guestbook and leave a message for the family at www.eleyfuneralhomes.com
