Martha Elizabeth Strite, 94, of Oakmont Drive in Williamsport, Pa. and formerly of Niles and Angola, Ind., died Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at home following a brief illness.

She was born Martha Elizabeth Schweitzer on Feb. 22, 1916 in Hudson, Ind. to George and Nora (Storn) Schweitzer. She attended and graduated elementary and high school in Hudson.

She married Lowell George Strite on Sept. 16, 1936 in Waterloo, Ind. He preceded her in death on Nov. 24, 1997; they were married 61 years.

They farmed in Angola, Ind. from 1936 to 1940; moved to East Gilead, Mich. and then farmed from 1940 to 1948; then they returned to Angola. Martha and her husband managed Silver Lake Court from 1948 until it was sold in 1969, at which time they retired.

In Angola they attended Angola Church of Christ for 60 years, and she belonged to the church’s Ladies Aid Society; playing piano in the church for 10 years; and sang in the church’s choir for 50 years. They remained in the Angola area until moving to LaGrange, Ind, in 1990. Martha moved to Niles in 1998 and lived there with her daughter, Donna Strite and son-in-law, Bill Cole until 2008. She attended Emmanuel Baptist Bible Church in Niles. In 2008, she moved to Williamsport, Pa. and lived there with her son, Jack Strite, and his wife, until Martha’s death on April 28, 2010.

Mrs. Strite was preceded in death by her husband; siblings, Charles, Willard and Vern Schweitzer and Anna Schweitzer Feagler; daughter, Barbranne Strite; and grandson, David Wayne Cole.

She is survived by her children, Donna May Strite, Jack Alan (Kathleen Scott) Strite and Jeffrey David Strite; grandchildren, Elizabeth Cole Pasternak, Lyndi Scott Strite, Maesyn Scott Strite, Nowell Scott Strite, Jonathan Strite and Naomi Strite; and great-grandchildren, Tarynn, Bethany, Nikoli and Shelby Pasternak.

Services for Martha Elizabeth Strite will be at 11 a.m. Monday, May 3, 2010 at Emmanuel Baptist Bible Church in Niles with the Rev. Brad Lomax of the church officiating.

Internment will be at Waterloo Cemetery in Waterloo, Ind.

The family will be receiving friends and relatives beginning one hour prior to services at the church.

Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Martha may be made to Emmanuel Baptist Bible Church, 216 Beeson Rd., Niles, MI 49120 or to Lake James Christian Assembly, 1880 West 275 North, Angola, IN 46703.