Martha S. Underwood Burns

Martha S. Burns, age 83, of Bloomington, died Friday at her residence. Born February 13, 1928 in Bloomington, she was the daughter of S. Leslie and Nellie A. (Mercer) Underwood and the granddaughter of Ezra Alice (Douglas) Mercer and William G. and Stella (Hill) Underwood. She was a graduate of Bloomington High School, Class of 1946 and married Edward Lee Burns on June 30, 1951. She was formerly employed at R.C.A. as a secretary. She later worked at Grandview School, Nordberg Rentals and Watkins Accounting. She was a faithful member of Woodhaven Christian Church where she served on many committees and also as an Elder, Sunday School Teacher and as president of the Christian Women’s Fellowship.

She is survived by three brothers and their spouses, Robert and Kathleen Underwood, Charles and Peggy Underwood, and John and Elaine Underwood, all of Bloomington; five sisters and spouses, Analie Clay, Nancy Blair, Donna and Wilford Acuff, and Linda and Richard Needy, all of Bloomington and Rosalie and John Stevens, of Eldridge, Iowa and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, husband, daughter, Susan Lee Burns, one sister, Charlotte King, one brother, William Underwood, cousin, Bruce Guy, three brothers-in-law, Howard King, Robert Blair, and Wallace “Bob” Burns and two sisters-in-law, Marguerite Fuller and Dorothy Burns.

The funeral service will be held Wednesday at 1:30 P.M. at the Deremiah-Frye Mortuary, Greene and Harrell Chapel with Pastor Steve Baker officiating. Burial will follow in Valhalla Memory Gardens, next to Edward. Friends may visit the family on Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 at the funeral home.

The family wants to especially thank Martha’s primary caregivers, Peggy Harris, Elizabeth Bridgewater, Carie Douthitt and Toni Shipley for their love and support during her illness.

Memorial contributions may be given to I.U. Health; Bloomington Hospice.