Martha Ann (Burgess) Reth, 68, of St. Joseph – loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister – passed away at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph in the year of our Lord Dec. 25, 2009 following a brief illness.

Martha was born November 20, 1941 in Mooreville, Miss. to Elmer & Bommer Lee (Parker) Burgess.  On June 6, 1961, she married George Reth in Cadillac, Mich.
Martha was employed for more than 30 years at Holly’s Landing & Pier III in St. Joseph.  In her spare time, she enjoyed helping others, tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

“I love all of you, until we meet again.”

Martha is survived by her children, Mike (Jerri Roberts) Reth of Spokane, Wash.,  Melody (Ed Cottrell) Reth  of Coloma; daughter-in-law Kelly Reth of Sterling Heights, Mich.; grandchildren, Jacob and Nicole Reth, Zach Reth, Naomi Reth Cottrell, Kendall, and Sally Cottrell; siblings, Jimmie Hale of St. Joseph, Joe Burgess of Michigan City, Ind., Larry (Cathy) Burgess of Mountain Home, Ark., Gary (Vickie) Burgess of Greensboro, N.C., Terry (Kathy) Burgess of Niles; many nieces and nephews and her lifetime of friends in St. Joseph.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George, on Aug. 6, 2007; parents; in-laws Richard and Mary Reth; granddaughter, Jasmine Reth; and brother, the Rev. James Burgess.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 30, 2009 at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with the Rev. Wayne Shearier officiating.

Friends may call one hour prior to the service beginning at 3 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the family.

Those wishing to share a memory or sign the memory book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.