Ruth Irene Martin, age 92 of Lafayette, Indiana died May 29th, 2015 at St. Anthony's Healthcare after a battle with brain cancer. She was born at home in Otterbein, Indiana on March 22, 1923 to Luther B. Mann and Myrtle Horn Mann.
After moving with her family 18 times, Ruth graduated from Newtown High School in 1941. Being a great-great-great niece of John Purdue made becoming a Boilermaker a logical choice for her. Then in 1942 Ruth was married in her parents' Williamsport, IN home to her high school sweetheart John E. Martin. They had two daughters, Constance (Connie), born in 1943 and Marcia born in 1946.
For many years Ruth enjoyed working as a farm wife. When her daughters entered school she worked for Jim Slaughter in his Wingate grocery. In the following years she held jobs as secretary at Richland Twp. School, teller at the Newtown Bank, and bookkeeper at Dri-All Driers of rural Newtown.
Ruth was an avid Purdue fan, attending the women's basketball games for 18 years. It was her honor to be recognized by Purdue president Mitch Daniels at a football rally. There she presented to the university documents pertaining to John Purdue's land donation which led to the formation of Purdue University.
Traveling was a passion she shared with her husband John. They were able to visit the lower 48 states together. After his passing, she traveled to Alaska and Hawaii, thus completing their goal of being in all 50 states.
In addition to serving on numerous church committees, she was active in a number of community organizations including Sewing Club, Home Ec. Club, Red Hats (co-founder of Newtown chapter) and Eastern Star (state officer).
While gardening for her family was a necessity, in her later years, she enjoyed creating flower gardens. Her patio garden at Fairington Apartments in Lafayette was the talk of the complex.
Another interest she held was the genealogy of the Martin and Mann families. She was able to trace the Martins to Scotland and the Manns to Germany.
Friends and family had several "special" names for Ruth. She answered to Sis, Mom, Grandma, Grammy, G.G. and Ruthie.
Surviving are two daughters Connie Hayman (Jim) of Lafayette and Marcia Morningstar (John) of Wabash, IN; a brother Howard Mann of Garden Grove, CA; three grandchildren Shannon Hayman O'Boyle (Steve) of Carol Stream, IL, Sheri Hayman Thompson (Ron) of Johnsburg, IL, and Jodi Morningstar Getz (Rich) of Wabash, IN; and nine great-grandchildren, Amy Thompson Kadlec (Brent), Marc Thompson, Addie Thompson, Dillon O'Boyle, Sean O'Boyle, Christopher Reid, Carter Morningstar, A.J. Getz, and Alec Getz.
Preceding her in death were her husband John Edwin and a grandson John Christian (Chris) Morningstar.
Visitation and services will be held at Family and Friends Funeral Home of Wingate, IN. Visitation is from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 2015 and funeral services 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, 2015 with Pastor Mike Parks officiating. Burial will follow in Newtown Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Newtown Community Church or the American Cancer Society. Share memories and condolences online at www.familyandfriendsfh.com