Martha “Marti” Thompson, age 77, passed away peacefully Saturday morning, May 27, 2023, at her apartment in Greencroft, Goshen, after an extended illness.

Martha ‘Marti’ Thompson

Marti was born at the former Luckey Hospital in Wolf Lake, Noble County, Indiana, on July 20, 1945, to Glenn E. and Mary I. (Pepple) Stauffer. She married Terry Thompson on Sept. 5, 1965, in Osceola. Terry preceded her in death in August 2016.

She spent her earlier years living in several locations where her father served in Church of the Brethren ministries, including Maine, Chicago, southern Illinois and Alabama.

She spent her teenage years in Elkhart County, graduating from Jimtown High School in 1963.

After high school she served with the Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS), working at a day care for children of migrant workers in Belle Glade, Fla., and as an administrative assistant at the BVS headquarters in New Windsor, Md. It was during BVS that she met her future husband.

Terry and Marti spent most of their married lives in Milford. She worked in administrative positions for several organizations in the area, including 17 years at Goshen College and five years at Grace Brethren International Missions (GBIM) in Winona Lake, where she provided logistical support for short-term mission trips. In 2004, she went on a short-term mission with GBIM to the Philippines.

Marti was actively involved with many Brethren congregations in the area, serving as a deacon, pianist, church secretary and member of the choir.

She was also active with the Special Olympics, where she and Terry provided support to athletes at many events. Marti also served on the Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities and was a strong advocate for families with special-needs children.

She enjoyed reading, socializing with friends, working on puzzles, playing games and spending time with her grandchildren.

Over her life, she traveled to several parts of the U.S., including Hawaii, Alaska, many national parks in the West and to the lighthouses on Lake Michigan.

Marti is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Richard “Rick” and Amy Thompson, Baltimore; daughter, Beth Ann Thompson, Goshen; and three granddaughters, Megan Thompson, Mishawaka, Lauren Thompson, Baltimore, and Alexandra Thompson, Baltimore. Also surviving are her sister and husband, Carolyn and Lester Krull, Goshen; brother and wife, Harvey “Ole Harv” and Armida Stauffer, South Bend; sisters-in-law, Janine Katonah, Davis, Calif., Roma Jo Thompson, Bridgewater, Va., and Madilyn Brown, Bradenton, Fla.; sister-in-law and husband, Joy and William Sauder, Churubusco; and several cousins, nephews and nieces.

Marti was an outgoing and kindhearted soul who will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

The family will receive visitors from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31, at Creekside Church of the Brethren, CR 113, Elkhart. A funeral service will be held at Creekside at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 1, with Pastor Rosanna McFadden officiating. A graveside service and burial will occur at 11 a.m. Friday, June 2, at the Riverside Cemetery, West Milton, Ohio, with the Rev. Tim Scroggs presiding.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Marti’s honor can be sent to Special Olympics Indiana, Camp Mack or Heifer International.

Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen, is assisting with arrangements.