Martha Marie Harper was born 8 September 1933 to Maurice and Leah Ruth Harper.
Martha was united in marriage with William Castlein 11 December 1954, Barry County, Michigan.
This union was blessed with four children:
Nancy (Castlein) Henson
Faith (Castlein) Bianchi
James Castlein
John Castlein
Obituary
Martha Marie Castelein
Sat, Sep 17, 2016
MIDDLEVILLE, MI - Martha Marie Castelein, 83 years and 1 day old, of Middleville, passed “up” peacefully, into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, holding the hand of her adoring husband, Bill, surrounded by family.Martha was born to the late Maurice C. and Leah Ruth (Miller) Harper on Sept. 8, 1933. She has been reunited with her brother, Charles Harper; brother-in-law, Ron Castelein; and father and mother-in-law, Nial and Dorothy Castelein.Growing up in Midleville, she attended Thornapple Kellogg schools (“all day, every day, beginning in kindergarten, riding the bus both ways and she turned out just fine”), graduating in 1951. She was employed by Bradford White Co. before startrng a family and later worked for Otto’s Turkey Farm for over 20 years.She married William O. Castelein on Dec. 11, 1954. Bill and Martha met while working at EW Bliss. They married six months later. They were married 62 days, in which they were lucky enough to only ever endure one fight “that started the day they got married.”She was the proud mother of four and a dedicated homemaker, quoting “the neck that turned the head.”Martha worked as a secretary for the United States Army during Bill’s time in the service. She would recount telling an officer he was “not allowed to skip to the front of the line, he had to wait his turn.” Only later did her husband Bill explain that the man was a five star general, he was allowed to skip. That officer would later become president of the United States, President Dwight D. Eisenhower.Bill and Martha spent endless summers camping with their children and grandchildren. Countless lifelong friendships were forged at the campground. Martha could fill in a word search faster than they could be replaced and she always called out all the right answers for Wheel of Fortune. Among her loved activities were bowling leagues, jigsaw puzzles and Uno, although, after being handed one too many draw four’s she was likely to throw a dirty look Bill’s way.Friends, family, garage sales and chocolate were Martha’s passion and joy. She hosted the Castelein family Christmas every year, always giving more than she cared to receive, gifts no one ever thought they’d use, only to find out later they were exactly what they needed. Grandma Martha, the name she wore best, made sure to send the grandkids to the pantry for a Debbie cake, always taking care to have snacks even those with an aversion to peanut butter were sure to love. She was an animal lover as well, never turning away a cat left at her doorstep, much to the dismay of Fred, the guard dog poodle.She was a collector and crafter; her yard filled with ceramic gnomes, her trees covered in one of a kind ornaments, the china cabinet filled with precious knickknacks, and dining room wall adorned with the most beautiful tiny spoon collection; everyone knew not to come home from a trip without a spoon picked out especially for her.Martha, affectionately renamed “the tic tac grandma” by children at church, was a lifetime member of First Baptist Church of Middleville, accepting Christ as her savior as a teenager. Alongside her husband, she served on the missionary committee for man years, as well as the custodial staff. She blessed the lives of countless toddlers for over 40 years as a Sunday school teacher, aided the sweet tooth of many young attenders with Tic-Tacs and Mentos, and touched hearts all around with her love and generosity.Martha is survived by her husband, William Castelein; four their four children, Nancy (Dave) Henson, Hastings, Faith (Dan) Bianchi, Middleville, James (Gloria) Castelein, Wayland, and John Castelein, Hastings; her 17 grandchildren, Katie VanBuskirk, Kristen (Nathan) DeBoer, Pamela (Jason) Rubert, Harper Castelein, Elaine Bianchi, Jessica Foote, Truly (Jon) Barendse, Abigail (Bradley) Keeler, Kellie Foote, Jorge (Maria) Mesa, Jacob Foote, Ana (Ramiro) Mesa, James Poirrier, Liveah Foote, Mattea Castelein, Osvaldo Rosiles and Abram Jimenez; as well as her 17 great grandchildren, Jordan, Tucker, Peyton and Chayse VanBuskirk, Joselyn, Elise and Case DeBoer, Lilian and Grace Rubert, Andrew Barendse, Charlie Foote, Owen and Finley Keeler, Addison and Ella Poirrier and Sofia Mesa and Amaris Mesa. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Peggy (Don) Goldsworthy, Fern Harper and Sue Castelein, as well as a multitude of loving family and friends. Loved ones remember the chuckle Marta exchanged with her adoring husband at family gatherings, while looking over the crowd in front of her, exclaiming “we started all this!”Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, funeral to follow at 11:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Middleville. Weinvite you to join us after for a luncheon, complete with enough chocolate delights to anyone but Martha a stomach ache to last for days.In lieu of flowers, send chocolate (or give to the First Baptist Church Missionary fund), she would’ve wanted it that way.
Martha was united in marriage with William Castlein 11 December 1954, Barry County, Michigan.
This union was blessed with four children:
Nancy (Castlein) Henson
Faith (Castlein) Bianchi
James Castlein
John Castlein
Obituary
Martha Marie Castelein
Sat, Sep 17, 2016
MIDDLEVILLE, MI - Martha Marie Castelein, 83 years and 1 day old, of Middleville, passed “up” peacefully, into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, holding the hand of her adoring husband, Bill, surrounded by family.Martha was born to the late Maurice C. and Leah Ruth (Miller) Harper on Sept. 8, 1933. She has been reunited with her brother, Charles Harper; brother-in-law, Ron Castelein; and father and mother-in-law, Nial and Dorothy Castelein.Growing up in Midleville, she attended Thornapple Kellogg schools (“all day, every day, beginning in kindergarten, riding the bus both ways and she turned out just fine”), graduating in 1951. She was employed by Bradford White Co. before startrng a family and later worked for Otto’s Turkey Farm for over 20 years.She married William O. Castelein on Dec. 11, 1954. Bill and Martha met while working at EW Bliss. They married six months later. They were married 62 days, in which they were lucky enough to only ever endure one fight “that started the day they got married.”She was the proud mother of four and a dedicated homemaker, quoting “the neck that turned the head.”Martha worked as a secretary for the United States Army during Bill’s time in the service. She would recount telling an officer he was “not allowed to skip to the front of the line, he had to wait his turn.” Only later did her husband Bill explain that the man was a five star general, he was allowed to skip. That officer would later become president of the United States, President Dwight D. Eisenhower.Bill and Martha spent endless summers camping with their children and grandchildren. Countless lifelong friendships were forged at the campground. Martha could fill in a word search faster than they could be replaced and she always called out all the right answers for Wheel of Fortune. Among her loved activities were bowling leagues, jigsaw puzzles and Uno, although, after being handed one too many draw four’s she was likely to throw a dirty look Bill’s way.Friends, family, garage sales and chocolate were Martha’s passion and joy. She hosted the Castelein family Christmas every year, always giving more than she cared to receive, gifts no one ever thought they’d use, only to find out later they were exactly what they needed. Grandma Martha, the name she wore best, made sure to send the grandkids to the pantry for a Debbie cake, always taking care to have snacks even those with an aversion to peanut butter were sure to love. She was an animal lover as well, never turning away a cat left at her doorstep, much to the dismay of Fred, the guard dog poodle.She was a collector and crafter; her yard filled with ceramic gnomes, her trees covered in one of a kind ornaments, the china cabinet filled with precious knickknacks, and dining room wall adorned with the most beautiful tiny spoon collection; everyone knew not to come home from a trip without a spoon picked out especially for her.Martha, affectionately renamed “the tic tac grandma” by children at church, was a lifetime member of First Baptist Church of Middleville, accepting Christ as her savior as a teenager. Alongside her husband, she served on the missionary committee for man years, as well as the custodial staff. She blessed the lives of countless toddlers for over 40 years as a Sunday school teacher, aided the sweet tooth of many young attenders with Tic-Tacs and Mentos, and touched hearts all around with her love and generosity.Martha is survived by her husband, William Castelein; four their four children, Nancy (Dave) Henson, Hastings, Faith (Dan) Bianchi, Middleville, James (Gloria) Castelein, Wayland, and John Castelein, Hastings; her 17 grandchildren, Katie VanBuskirk, Kristen (Nathan) DeBoer, Pamela (Jason) Rubert, Harper Castelein, Elaine Bianchi, Jessica Foote, Truly (Jon) Barendse, Abigail (Bradley) Keeler, Kellie Foote, Jorge (Maria) Mesa, Jacob Foote, Ana (Ramiro) Mesa, James Poirrier, Liveah Foote, Mattea Castelein, Osvaldo Rosiles and Abram Jimenez; as well as her 17 great grandchildren, Jordan, Tucker, Peyton and Chayse VanBuskirk, Joselyn, Elise and Case DeBoer, Lilian and Grace Rubert, Andrew Barendse, Charlie Foote, Owen and Finley Keeler, Addison and Ella Poirrier and Sofia Mesa and Amaris Mesa. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Peggy (Don) Goldsworthy, Fern Harper and Sue Castelein, as well as a multitude of loving family and friends. Loved ones remember the chuckle Marta exchanged with her adoring husband at family gatherings, while looking over the crowd in front of her, exclaiming “we started all this!”Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, funeral to follow at 11:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Middleville. Weinvite you to join us after for a luncheon, complete with enough chocolate delights to anyone but Martha a stomach ache to last for days.In lieu of flowers, send chocolate (or give to the First Baptist Church Missionary fund), she would’ve wanted it that way.
Martha Marie Harper was born 8 September 1933 to Maurice and Leah Ruth Harper.
Martha was united in marriage with William Castlein 11 December 1954, Barry County, Michigan.
This union was blessed with four children:
Nancy (Castlein) Henson
Faith (Castlein) Bianchi
James Castlein
John Castlein
Obituary
Martha Marie Castelein
Sat, Sep 17, 2016
MIDDLEVILLE, MI - Martha Marie Castelein, 83 years and 1 day old, of Middleville, passed “up” peacefully, into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, holding the hand of her adoring husband, Bill, surrounded by family.Martha was born to the late Maurice C. and Leah Ruth (Miller) Harper on Sept. 8, 1933. She has been reunited with her brother, Charles Harper; brother-in-law, Ron Castelein; and father and mother-in-law, Nial and Dorothy Castelein.Growing up in Midleville, she attended Thornapple Kellogg schools (“all day, every day, beginning in kindergarten, riding the bus both ways and she turned out just fine”), graduating in 1951. She was employed by Bradford White Co. before startrng a family and later worked for Otto’s Turkey Farm for over 20 years.She married William O. Castelein on Dec. 11, 1954. Bill and Martha met while working at EW Bliss. They married six months later. They were married 62 days, in which they were lucky enough to only ever endure one fight “that started the day they got married.”She was the proud mother of four and a dedicated homemaker, quoting “the neck that turned the head.”Martha worked as a secretary for the United States Army during Bill’s time in the service. She would recount telling an officer he was “not allowed to skip to the front of the line, he had to wait his turn.” Only later did her husband Bill explain that the man was a five star general, he was allowed to skip. That officer would later become president of the United States, President Dwight D. Eisenhower.Bill and Martha spent endless summers camping with their children and grandchildren. Countless lifelong friendships were forged at the campground. Martha could fill in a word search faster than they could be replaced and she always called out all the right answers for Wheel of Fortune. Among her loved activities were bowling leagues, jigsaw puzzles and Uno, although, after being handed one too many draw four’s she was likely to throw a dirty look Bill’s way.Friends, family, garage sales and chocolate were Martha’s passion and joy. She hosted the Castelein family Christmas every year, always giving more than she cared to receive, gifts no one ever thought they’d use, only to find out later they were exactly what they needed. Grandma Martha, the name she wore best, made sure to send the grandkids to the pantry for a Debbie cake, always taking care to have snacks even those with an aversion to peanut butter were sure to love. She was an animal lover as well, never turning away a cat left at her doorstep, much to the dismay of Fred, the guard dog poodle.She was a collector and crafter; her yard filled with ceramic gnomes, her trees covered in one of a kind ornaments, the china cabinet filled with precious knickknacks, and dining room wall adorned with the most beautiful tiny spoon collection; everyone knew not to come home from a trip without a spoon picked out especially for her.Martha, affectionately renamed “the tic tac grandma” by children at church, was a lifetime member of First Baptist Church of Middleville, accepting Christ as her savior as a teenager. Alongside her husband, she served on the missionary committee for man years, as well as the custodial staff. She blessed the lives of countless toddlers for over 40 years as a Sunday school teacher, aided the sweet tooth of many young attenders with Tic-Tacs and Mentos, and touched hearts all around with her love and generosity.Martha is survived by her husband, William Castelein; four their four children, Nancy (Dave) Henson, Hastings, Faith (Dan) Bianchi, Middleville, James (Gloria) Castelein, Wayland, and John Castelein, Hastings; her 17 grandchildren, Katie VanBuskirk, Kristen (Nathan) DeBoer, Pamela (Jason) Rubert, Harper Castelein, Elaine Bianchi, Jessica Foote, Truly (Jon) Barendse, Abigail (Bradley) Keeler, Kellie Foote, Jorge (Maria) Mesa, Jacob Foote, Ana (Ramiro) Mesa, James Poirrier, Liveah Foote, Mattea Castelein, Osvaldo Rosiles and Abram Jimenez; as well as her 17 great grandchildren, Jordan, Tucker, Peyton and Chayse VanBuskirk, Joselyn, Elise and Case DeBoer, Lilian and Grace Rubert, Andrew Barendse, Charlie Foote, Owen and Finley Keeler, Addison and Ella Poirrier and Sofia Mesa and Amaris Mesa. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Peggy (Don) Goldsworthy, Fern Harper and Sue Castelein, as well as a multitude of loving family and friends. Loved ones remember the chuckle Marta exchanged with her adoring husband at family gatherings, while looking over the crowd in front of her, exclaiming “we started all this!”Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, funeral to follow at 11:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Middleville. Weinvite you to join us after for a luncheon, complete with enough chocolate delights to anyone but Martha a stomach ache to last for days.In lieu of flowers, send chocolate (or give to the First Baptist Church Missionary fund), she would’ve wanted it that way.
Martha was united in marriage with William Castlein 11 December 1954, Barry County, Michigan.
This union was blessed with four children:
Nancy (Castlein) Henson
Faith (Castlein) Bianchi
James Castlein
John Castlein
Obituary
Martha Marie Castelein
Sat, Sep 17, 2016
MIDDLEVILLE, MI - Martha Marie Castelein, 83 years and 1 day old, of Middleville, passed “up” peacefully, into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, holding the hand of her adoring husband, Bill, surrounded by family.Martha was born to the late Maurice C. and Leah Ruth (Miller) Harper on Sept. 8, 1933. She has been reunited with her brother, Charles Harper; brother-in-law, Ron Castelein; and father and mother-in-law, Nial and Dorothy Castelein.Growing up in Midleville, she attended Thornapple Kellogg schools (“all day, every day, beginning in kindergarten, riding the bus both ways and she turned out just fine”), graduating in 1951. She was employed by Bradford White Co. before startrng a family and later worked for Otto’s Turkey Farm for over 20 years.She married William O. Castelein on Dec. 11, 1954. Bill and Martha met while working at EW Bliss. They married six months later. They were married 62 days, in which they were lucky enough to only ever endure one fight “that started the day they got married.”She was the proud mother of four and a dedicated homemaker, quoting “the neck that turned the head.”Martha worked as a secretary for the United States Army during Bill’s time in the service. She would recount telling an officer he was “not allowed to skip to the front of the line, he had to wait his turn.” Only later did her husband Bill explain that the man was a five star general, he was allowed to skip. That officer would later become president of the United States, President Dwight D. Eisenhower.Bill and Martha spent endless summers camping with their children and grandchildren. Countless lifelong friendships were forged at the campground. Martha could fill in a word search faster than they could be replaced and she always called out all the right answers for Wheel of Fortune. Among her loved activities were bowling leagues, jigsaw puzzles and Uno, although, after being handed one too many draw four’s she was likely to throw a dirty look Bill’s way.Friends, family, garage sales and chocolate were Martha’s passion and joy. She hosted the Castelein family Christmas every year, always giving more than she cared to receive, gifts no one ever thought they’d use, only to find out later they were exactly what they needed. Grandma Martha, the name she wore best, made sure to send the grandkids to the pantry for a Debbie cake, always taking care to have snacks even those with an aversion to peanut butter were sure to love. She was an animal lover as well, never turning away a cat left at her doorstep, much to the dismay of Fred, the guard dog poodle.She was a collector and crafter; her yard filled with ceramic gnomes, her trees covered in one of a kind ornaments, the china cabinet filled with precious knickknacks, and dining room wall adorned with the most beautiful tiny spoon collection; everyone knew not to come home from a trip without a spoon picked out especially for her.Martha, affectionately renamed “the tic tac grandma” by children at church, was a lifetime member of First Baptist Church of Middleville, accepting Christ as her savior as a teenager. Alongside her husband, she served on the missionary committee for man years, as well as the custodial staff. She blessed the lives of countless toddlers for over 40 years as a Sunday school teacher, aided the sweet tooth of many young attenders with Tic-Tacs and Mentos, and touched hearts all around with her love and generosity.Martha is survived by her husband, William Castelein; four their four children, Nancy (Dave) Henson, Hastings, Faith (Dan) Bianchi, Middleville, James (Gloria) Castelein, Wayland, and John Castelein, Hastings; her 17 grandchildren, Katie VanBuskirk, Kristen (Nathan) DeBoer, Pamela (Jason) Rubert, Harper Castelein, Elaine Bianchi, Jessica Foote, Truly (Jon) Barendse, Abigail (Bradley) Keeler, Kellie Foote, Jorge (Maria) Mesa, Jacob Foote, Ana (Ramiro) Mesa, James Poirrier, Liveah Foote, Mattea Castelein, Osvaldo Rosiles and Abram Jimenez; as well as her 17 great grandchildren, Jordan, Tucker, Peyton and Chayse VanBuskirk, Joselyn, Elise and Case DeBoer, Lilian and Grace Rubert, Andrew Barendse, Charlie Foote, Owen and Finley Keeler, Addison and Ella Poirrier and Sofia Mesa and Amaris Mesa. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Peggy (Don) Goldsworthy, Fern Harper and Sue Castelein, as well as a multitude of loving family and friends. Loved ones remember the chuckle Marta exchanged with her adoring husband at family gatherings, while looking over the crowd in front of her, exclaiming “we started all this!”Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, funeral to follow at 11:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Middleville. Weinvite you to join us after for a luncheon, complete with enough chocolate delights to anyone but Martha a stomach ache to last for days.In lieu of flowers, send chocolate (or give to the First Baptist Church Missionary fund), she would’ve wanted it that way.
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