Sylvia Ethel Schrock Martin, 88, died Jan. 16, 2013, in Greencroft Healthcare, Goshen. She was born July 11, 1924, on a farm on CR 9 in rural Goshen, to William Metzler and Mary Ethel Van Scoik Schrock. On Aug. 21, 1949, at Dunlap Evangelical United Brethren Church, she married Dale Ernest Martin, son of Albert and Mabel Smith Martin. He died Aug. 11, 2003. She graduated from Wakarusa High School in 1942 and from Goshen College with a degree in elementary education in 1946. Beginning in 1946, with several interruptions, she devotedly and inventively taught elementary school children for 19 years in Concord, Goshen and Warsaw public schools, focusing on first and second grade and learning to read. With her husband, she enjoyed many summertime stays at a lakeside cottage on Manitoulin Island, Ontario, near her sister and brother-in-law’s farm. She was a member of West Goshen Church of the Brethren. Before her marriage, she and her family were active members of Bethel Mennonite Brethren in Christ (United Missionary) Church, including summer camp meetings at the Prairie Campgrounds. Surviving are three sons: Dennis D. (and spouse Carol), Chicago; Gary E. (and spouse Patricia), Goshen; and Stanley W. (and spouse Julie), Bonners Ferry, Idaho; a sister, Mary E. (and spouse Robert) Hill, Elora, Ontario; and brothers: Herman (and spouse Lois), rural Goshen, and Lloyd (and spouse Arlene), Pittsboro; 15 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, L. Brian, who died May 10, 1998; a brother, Roscoe; and a sister, Emogene Reed. A private prayer service with burial will be at Yellow Creek Cemetery with a public memorial service in March. Calling is from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen. ***** Memorials may be given to the Greencroft Foundation.
