Lois Irene Martin

A woman who was content and even joyful in everything that life brought, Lois Martin was an inspiration to everyone she met. Guided by an unwavering faith, she lived a life of purpose while holding her loved ones near. A loving wife and devoted mother, Lois certainly took these roles to heart, however, she just may have argued that nothing was better than becoming a grandmother to the two grandchildren who were her entire world. Although she traveled the world over, there was nothing sweeter in her book than being surrounded by her beloved family. Although life will never be the same without Lois here, she leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that her loved ones will forever cherish.

During the first half of the 1940s, the eyes of our nation were focused overseas as WWII raged on. Countless young servicemen and women were sent to give support while those who remained stateside gathered around radios to await the latest news from the front lines. It was in the midst of this eventful time that Elmer and Bernice (Howard) Parrish were eagerly anticipating the birth of their new baby as the beauty of spring blanketed the city of Kankakee, Illinois, in 1943. Their wait was overon May 13thwhen the baby girl they named Lois Irene made her arrival. She joined her three older brothers in her family, and as the oldest girl she regularly helped her mother with the younger children. Raised in the family home in Braidwood, Lois experienced an upbringing that was fairly typical for the youth of her generation. She attended local schools and graduated from Reed Custer High School in 1961.

Not to be forgotten during her high school years was Lois introduction to the young man of her dreams. His name was Ray Martin, and she was just a young girl of 17 working as a waitress at Barnets Diner at the time. He was in town attending a heavy equipment operators program. Smitten, Lois told a coworker that he was the man she was going to marry!

A woman who knew what she was talking about, Lois was right as she and Ray were married just 11 months after they met on December 2, 1961, in Joliet, Illinois, shortly after she graduated from high school. Together they were blessed to welcome their daughter, Michelle, into their hearts and home. From the time she became a mother, Lois stayed home to care for her daughter until she started school. In 1972, the family moved from Illinois to Ft. Wayne. Soon after, she and Ray started Ra-Lo Industries, operating it as Rays Truck Wash for 27 years. In 1983, the family moved from Ft. Wayne to the farm house on Old Trail Road outside of Columbia City.

In addition to caring for her family, Lois kept busy in so many other ways. A woman of faith, she attended Community of Hope, New Hope Wesleyan Church with her family, and also Believers Bible Fellowship in Churubusco with her friend SandySiegristwhose husband, Pastor BobSiegristwas the pastor there. Lois loved going to the local YMCA to walk and talk with friends. Traveling was something she loved, especially taking cruises and long trips with her husband. Of all her worldwide travels, her trips to China, Australia, and Fiji were among her favorites. Loiss most favorite trip was the last trip that she took with Ray and her sister and brother-in-law, Bev and Mike. Together they went on a train and cruise trip to Alaska in 2008, which was shortly before Ray was diagnosed with cancer. Lois loved being outdoors and could often be found out in the yard and tending to her flowers.

There was never anything that was more near and dear to Lois heart than her loved ones. She was so blessed to have such an open and close relationship with her daughter. Perhaps her favorite mother and daughter moment was when Lois took Michelle to see Elvis when Michelle was in fourth grade. Elvis was in Ft. Wayne, and Lois was able to get tickets that were only 13 rows back. Nothing was sweeter to Lois than watching her daughter make her way on stage to be with Elvis that night. Later on, her grandchildren, Connor and Kennedy, became her world. It was easy to see that Lois was their number one fan. Her grandchildren regularly came over to watch movies, bake cookies, and have slipper fights, which were experiences that were among her most priceless memories. As they got older, Lois took them out more including on trips to the Ft. Wayne Childrens Zoo. She did face hard times, too, as she was deeply saddened with Rays death on November 28, 2009. After Ray passed, traveling was never the same but Lois continued to take smaller trips with her sisters. Lois also worked for DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home shortly after the death of her beloved Ray. In 2013, she had to make the difficult decision to move off the family farm on Old Trail Road and moved to her current home in town.

Outgoing, kindhearted, and giving, Lois Martin was truly beautiful on the inside and out. She was always cheerful and brightened up the place with her smile no matter where she was, and she had the uncanny ability to notice all the little things. In any way she could, Lois was there for her family, and her daughter and grandchildren filled her heart with unspeakable joy. Deeply loved, she will be forever missed.

Lois Irene Martin, of Columbia City, IN, died at 6:55 a.m. Tuesday, October 20, 2015, at her home. Lois is survived by her only child and son-in-law, Michelle M. and Ken Slavicek of Columbia City; beloved grandson, Connor Martin Slavicek; cherished, granddaughter, Kennedy Noelle Slavicek; siblings and their spouses, Donald and Susie Parrish of Wilmington, IL, John and Sandy Parrish of Diamond, IL, Dick and Ginnie Parrish of Wilmington, IL, Bonnie and Bill Favero, and Barbara Pat Duffy, both of Braidwood, IL, Bev and Mike Duffy of Lowell, IN, Mike and Jan Parrish of Channahon, IL, PeggyandJim Cole, LindaandDoug Mandat, LillieandSteve Heitke, Donna and Tom Thompson, all of Braidwood, IL; and sister-in-law, Wilba Louise Strong of New Russia, NY. Lois was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Ray.

Visitation will be heldon Friday, October 23, 2015, from 2-4and6-8 p.m.at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be10:30 a.m. Saturdayat the funeral home with Pastor Bob Siegrist officiating. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the American Red Cross, Whitley Co. Council on Aging or the Ft. Wayne Childrens Zoo. To send her family on-line condolences, visit www.demoneygrimes .