Martha Jean Southwick

Martha Jean (Kessler) Southwick of Terre Haute died in Indianapolis on Saturday December 19, 2015 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. She was born August 25, 1940 in Long Island N.Y. to Edwin Kessler and Ruth Johnson Kessler. She graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in English and Biology. During her studies at Rutgers University, she met and married C. David Southwick and a few years later, she and David decided to start a family. After living briefly in Baltimore, Martha and David moved to New Jersey to further David’s career. There, she spent her early adult years raising her three sons and a daughter, tending to their every need. After David’s relocation to Terre Haute, Martha returned to school, attending Eastern Illinois University and obtaining a nursing degree. She became a Registered Nurse working in both the Emergency Room and Oncology Unit at Union Hospital in Terre Haute until her retirement in 1996. After her retirement, she and David began collecting antiques and started a successful antique business, Windswept Acres, which Martha kept going on a much smaller scale following David’s death.

Martha’s husband of almost 53 yrs. C. David Southwick, passed away on October 24, 2013 and he was the love of her life. She was also preceded in death by her parents and her grandson Corey Moore. She is survived by three sons; Mark (Sherri) and Paul (Kathy) of Clinton, Keith (Jennifer) of Greenwood; a daughter Dara (Corwin) Moore of Westminster Md.; a daughter-in-law Rebecca Southwick of Terre Haute; Eight grandchildren , Jaren, Gretchen, Brandon, Nathan, Neeli, Hollan, Emirie, and Courtney Moore; two sisters, Ruth Ellen Openlander of Reno N.V. and Gina Stanis (Ahren) of Avon; nieces and nephews Matthew Stanis, Julie Stanis-Farias (Daniel) and Kirsten Openlader; great nephews Diego and Giovanni Farias; and a great niece Tegan Openlander.

Martha was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, the German Oberlander Club, the Red Hat Society, and Mended Hearts. She was an active volunteer with the Parke-Vermillion County Humane Society, transporting animals to and from vet appointments every week. In her younger years, Martha was very active in the Lutheran Church in both New Jersey and Indiana, serving as a church pianist/organist, youth leader, Sunday School Teacher and a Member of Church Council. She was also very active in her children’s activities when they were young, serving as a Den Mother for Cub Scouts, a 4-H leader, and a coach for sporting activities. Martha will always be remembered for her caring concern for others and ensuring that no one goes without. As a nurse, she was called upon almost daily for help and advice, due to her compassionate nature. She was also a great story teller and lived to share these stories with friends and family. We will all miss her vivacious, larger-than-life personality!

Martha’s visitation will be from 11:00a.m.to 1:00 p.m. on Monday December 28, 2015 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2620 Ohio Blvd. in Terre Haute followed by a memorial service at the church with Pastor Dana Newhouse officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Parke-Vermillion County Humane Society, P.O. Box 155, Clinton, IN 47842 or Trinity Lutheran Church, 2620 Ohio Blvd., Terre Haute, IN 47803.