Martha Beal

Martha Jane Friday Beal, 81, died Tuesday morning, February 14, 2006 at her home. Born November 28, 1924 in Ontario, Ohio, she was the daughter of John and Louisa Robertson Friday. She attended Springfield Township High School in 1942. In 1941, she married her high school sweetheart, Richard Beal. Richard served in the U.S. Army during WWII. Martha worked as a secretary for the Child Services Agency of Richland County, retiring in 1980. She belonged to the Iris Society, the Agnes Paulson Garden Club, and the Orchid Society. Mrs. Beal devoted a lot of her time to the Kingwood Botanical Center in Mansfield. She became popular and well known for her beautiful irises in her garden and received many blue ribbons for her entries. Housekeeper, gardener, and seamstress are just some of the skills that can be added to Martha's life resume. She and her husband enjoyed traveling during their retirement.

She is survived by one son, Richard Carl Beal of Big Pine Key, Florida; three grandchildren, Michael of Big Pine Key Florida, and Mark, and Dana, both of Mansfield, near Martha where they devoted much of their time, love, and attention to their grandmother; great grandchildren, Tyler, Logan, Josh, Becky, and Ree; sister, Helen Bryan; and many special friends that helped out with love and friendship over the past years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard in 1996, and her parents.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, February 16, 2006 at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Mansfield Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to Kingwood Center.