Martha Nelson

Martha L. Nelson

Age 81 of Wilmington, passed away Thursday morning July 28, 2011 at Salem Village in Joliet.

Born November 17, 1929 in Argos, Indiana, Martha was a daughter of the late Otto and Genieve Hazelton-Nelson. She moved with her family from Joliet at the age of 7 and has made Wilmington her home for the remainder of her life. Martha received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Purdue University and later continued her education at Northern Illinois University, where she earned her Master's of Science in Education and Certificate of Advanced Studies. Martha began her career in education at Bruning School in Wilmington, where she taught for 15 years prior to becoming Principal for 15 years. She was then Principal at Booth Central School for an additional 5 years before retiring in 1989, after serving the Wilmington School District 209-U for a total of 35 years. Martha was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Joliet, The Illinois Retired Teachers Association, Illinois Principals Association, Eastern Star, Purdue Alumni Club of Chicago and a lifetime member of Purdue Alumni Association. She can be remembered for her great enthusiasm for Purdue Football, having attended all their home games for more than 40 years and truly enjoyed her work with children. She had a great fondness for all animals and enjoyed reading in her free time. Martha loved traveling, and truly enjoyed her family and the time spent at her cabin in the beautiful Northwood's of upper Michigan.

Survivors include her best friend Sandy Anderson of Wilmington; four special nieces: Karen (Daniel) McCoy of Carmel, Indiana, Nadine Fletcher of Fishers, Indiana, Lesa (Armando) Perez of Greenwood, Indiana and Marqueena (John) Leichtnam of Westville, Ohio, as well as several other nieces, nephews and cousins.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents; one brother Max Fletcher of Indianapolis, Indiana and two sisters: Emogene (Glover) Moreland of Tipton, Indiana and Olotha (Robert) Leingang of Raleigh, North Carolina.

Visitation and Video Tribute will be held on Sunday July 31, 2011 between the hours of 2:00PM and 6:00PM at Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington.

Funeral services will follow Monday August 1, 2011 at 10:00AM in the funeral home with Reverend Rodney A. Juell, STS from Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Joliet officiating.

Burial will be in Elmhurst Cemetery in Joliet and pallbearers will be: Daniel McCoy, Armando Perez, Butch Moreland, Mandy Perez, David Hughey and Daniel Sedlacek.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Martha's memory to the Wilmington School District 209-U Foundation for Excellence, 209 Wildcat Court, Wilmington, Illinois 60481

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences by logging onto: www.FRBfuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815/476-2181)