Martha Elizabeth Starner

Martha Elizabeth Starner, age 102, of Sarasota, Florida, formerly of Toledo, Ohio passed away peacefully, surrounded by her adoring family and Samson, her treasured Mini Maine Coon cat. All those who knew Martha, knew the value of her rescue companion.

Martha was born in Circleville, Ohio moving with her sister Norma and parents to Toledo, Ohio in 1928. She graduated from Scott High School and attended Davis Business College, graduating in 1935. She was part of The Greatest Generation, growing up with a love and respect for parents, her faith and her country. One of her greatest loves was dancing, and with friends, surrendered to the lure of Big Band music and the Trianon Ballroom …Martha was beautiful and a beautiful dancer; and it was the place to dance. This is where she met her future husband, the handsome, Ben Starner, one of the best dancers ever; they were a perfect match. They married June 24, 1939, at St Francis Cathedral, Toledo, Ohio.

Martha worked for several years as a secretary at both Toledo Hospital and The Autolite until she and Ben started their family late in 1941. The young couple then ventured into the bar business for over 10 years sharing the day to day responsibilities of Starner’s Bar and Grill. In 1959, Martha again honed her business skills and was hired by the Lucas County Adult Probation Department. A job she truly loved and held for 17 years, working with and managing “her boys”; and these young probation officers sincerely considered her one of them!

She and Ben retired to Florida where they joined many of their Toledo friends while making untold new ones. They both golfed (Martha scoring 2 holes in one and Ben 1.) She also bowled for over 65 years …but Cards were her passion! As in all things she was a true competitor and loved to win. And win she did right up into her final week. She never aged, her mind was sharp as a tack; she balanced her checkbook and almost always finished the daily crossword puzzle; but never missed her 4:00 cocktail. She shopped each morning from her well stocked closet, dressing with care, applying her makeup and selecting her jewelry until the day she died. Martha was amazing, and all those who knew her loved her and her determined personality.

She is survived by her loving children, Timothy (Carol) Starner of Hillsdale, MI and Sarasota FL; Susan Cicero of Dunwoody, GA and NancyJo Eade of Toledo, Ohio; cherished grandchildren, Kimberly, Kellie, Nina, Brice and Drew; 13 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Martha is preceded in death by her beloved husband, George Franklin “Ben” Starner, her sister, Norma Jean and great grandson, Christo

In lieu of flowers, donations to your favorite Humane Society or Animal Rescue agency.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Jim, Monday, March 5th at 9:30 am, in the chapel at St Thomas More Catholic Church, 2506 Gulf Gate Dr., Sarasota. A reception and Celebration of Life will be held in the Village in the Pines Club House at 1:30 that afternoon. All are invited and are encouraged to share your best Martha memories with family and friends.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmsrobartsfuneralhome.com for the Starner family.