DUNMOR – Martha Jewell Heltsley, 90, of Dunmor, passed from this life on Monday, July 10, 2023, at 8:05 p.m. at her home surrounded by her loved ones. Born June 14, 1933, near Penrod, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 67 years, Cecil; her parents, Roy and Nellie Stinson; her sisters, Wanda Jones and Ethel Sapp; and her brothers, Glen and Don Stinson.
Martha married her childhood sweetheart on May 6, 1952. They grew up together. Neither one could remember when they became friends. Like so many they both left southern Muhlenberg County in the early 1950s to find work. They both followed older siblings to Dayton, Ohio. They married about a year later. Even though they lived in Dayton for nineteen years and raised their three children there, they never called Dayton home. Every year all family vacations were spent in southern Muhlenberg County. Finally, in 1973, they moved their family “home” to Muhlenberg County. Martha was always a stay-at-home mother. She was never happier than when she was in the kitchen preparing food for her family. She loved to bake cookies, especially at Christmas. She was always the mother who supplied the cookies for every school party her children or grandchildren attended. She even made homemade treats for her daughter Barbara’s students after she became a teacher. She also loved to sew. She created beautiful dresses for her daughters, granddaughter, and great-granddaughters. She also loved to quilt and do needlework. Most of all, Martha was the perfect example of a Christian wife and mother. She attended church at Mt. Moriah Church of Christ. One of her greatest regrets was that she had not been able to attend church services the last eleven months due to her declining health.
Martha leaves behind her children to cherish their memories of her, Barbara Heltsley, Ron (Brenda) Heltsley, and Chris (Dwight) Owens; her grandchildren who fondly called her Mel, Jeremy (Tiffany) Heltsley, Bradley (Sarah) Owens, and Jennifer (Nick) Luebbert; also the nine great-grandchildren who called her MiMi, Dean (Kaylee) Heltsley, Kela and Madison Heltsley, Dustin Grundy, Carley, Jack, and John Owens, and Jewells and Garrett Luebbert. Other survivors include her brother, Jim (Beth) Stinson and her sisters-in-law, Mary and Sue Stinson. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services will be Thursday, July 13, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Tucker Beechmont Funeral Home, with Ross Conley officiating, assisted by Olan Revelette. Burial will follow in Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.tuckerfuneralhomes.com.
