Delia (Zehr) Martin

CROGHAN, NY ~ Delia Martin, 103, of S. Bridge St., Croghan, died peacefully in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her children and grandchildren on Friday, January 6, 2017, where she had been under the loving care of her family and Lewis County Hospice.

Born October 3, 1913 in Croghan, NY, one of twelve children of William J. and Flora N. Zehr, she was educated in a one room school house in Croghan.

She married Melvin Martin on March 7, 1940 at the Evangelical United Brethren Church Parsonage in Beaver Falls.  Mr. Martin died at the age of 57 on January 22, 1976.

Delia and her late husband purchased the former Lehman and Zehr sash and blind shop in Croghan in 1969, which became the Croghan Island Mill, selling retail lumber and specializing in custom carpentry work under their ownership, and where she continued to work right up until shortly before her death. She was extremely well known for her window glazing ability, her work ethic and tireless desire to be always “at the mill” (even on a bad day), her ever-present and unforgettable smile greeting customers and friends alike, and above all, her perseverance and life’s determination to never give up.

Extremely pleased of having become a Centenarian in 2013, Mrs. Martin was very proud of her many congratulatory messages received, including those from US Senator Charles Schumer and NYS Senator Joseph Griffo.

She was a member of the First Mennonite Church in New Bremen.

Surviving are her loving children including her two sons, James (Betty) Martin and John Martin, all of Croghan, and two daughters, Mary Lou (Milford) Roggie, of Beaver Falls, and Janet (Gerry) Brouty, of Croghan; seven grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  

The last surviving member of her family, she was predeceased by seven sisters, including her triplet sisters, Dora Kloster, Dorothy Kloster and Doris Hill, Florence Hellinger, Mae Farney, Pearl Hayes, who died on October 24, 2016, and Amelia Hill, who died on December 27, 2016, and her four brothers, Leon, Arthur, Roy and Ira Zehr.

Mrs.  Martin’s funeral will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2017, beginning with a 10:00 a.m. prayer service at Scanlon Funeral Home, Croghan, with Chad Atwood, officiating, followed by an 11:00 a.m. funeral service at the First Mennonite Church in New Bremen, with Ed Steckly, Pastor, and Rev. Evan Zehr, officiating. Spring burial will be in the Croghan Mennonite Cemetery, Croghan.

Calling hours will be on Monday, January 9th, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Croghan Volunteer Fire Department, First Mennonite Church in New Bremen or to Lewis County Friends of Hospice.

To view on line obituary or leave a message of sympathy, please visit www.scanlonfuneral.com.

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