Martha Allis

Martha Wise Allis, 83, Indianapolis, passed away on May 21, 2016. She was born in Indianapolis in 1932 to parents Dr. William and Helen Wise, and married William Allis in 1955. She graduated from Shortridge High School and obtained two degrees from Butler University in her lifetime. She was a member of Second Presbyterian Church.

Regarding her career, Martha wrote,

"I have been labeled an artist, a stay-at-home mom, a writer, a mock- animations director, a puppeteer, a puppet maker, a script editor, a script writer, a script supervisor, a productions director, an associate or line producer, a sculptor, a leader, a follower, an expert, a beginner, a teacher, a student, a dog trainer, a cat breeder, a horse person, and I've even been known as 'the bird woman."

She begain her career with a B.A. in English and worked as an art teacher for elementary-aged children. Once she obtained her M. S. in Radio/TV, she went on to write and produce several motion picture films for IU Schools of Medicine and Nursing. She also left her mark on children's television through puppet drama format shows. She wrote and produced Christmas special "Alphie and the Christmas Tree" and acted as exectuvie productions director for weekly children's television show "Time for Timothy."

She found serving as Script Supervisor on feature films especially challenging and fun. In her spare time, Martha enjoyed creating art, specializing in watercolor and sculpting, but also trying out oil painting, jewelry making, homemade paper, and collages. She also wrote several short stories for children.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, William; brother, Dr. William R. Wise; sister, Mildred; one infant brother; and grandson, Joseph Allis. She is survived by her four children: Bill Allis, Sheryl Overstreet, Marna Reutman, and Dan Allis; grandchildren Shannon and Katherine Allis, Joshua, Isaac, Christina and Jeremiah Overstreet, and Michael and Rebecca Reutman; four great- grandchildren; and many close life-long friends.