Susan Marie Martens

Born in Vandalia, Ohio, on June 9th, 1959, Susan was the daughter of Robert and Harriet Schaefer. Shortly after the birth of her younger brother Greg, the family moved to Kettering, Ohio, where she graduated from Kettering Fairmont East High School. After completing her Associate Degree in Nursing at Sinclair Community College and earning her Registered Nurse license, Susan met her future husband, Michael Martens, and the two were married on November 19th, 1996 in Centerville, Ohio.

For over 35 years, Susan was a pillar of care in the Miami Valley, dedicating the first portion of her nursing career to serving patients in the fast-paced and high-stakes environments of Emergency, Cardiac Intensive Care, and Medical Intensive Care units. While working full-time, she returned to school and received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wright State University and a Master of Science in Nursing Administration from Ball State University. Her education paved the way for her transition to Case Management, ultimately bringing her career to a meaningful close at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where she provided care for those who served the nation.

Outside of her professional career, Susan enjoyed a full life centered around family and cherished traditions. Most of all she treasured time spent with her family and friends, especially her grandson Leo, whose boundless energy brought her endless joy. She was a devout supporter of her son Jason’s musical performances, loved exploring New York City with her son Joshua, admired Avery’s growth as an artist and printmaker, and took great pleasure in traveling to Cleveland with her husband Michael to cheer on their favorite teams. She equally adored watching her nieces, Kelly and Carleigh, compete in gymnastics and dance competitions. Each summer, she looked forward to hand-picking black raspberries, a family tradition from her early years, to preserve and share with those she loved. In the fall and winter, she delighted in elaborately decorating her home for Halloween and Christmas to host family gatherings.

Susan also had a passion for photography, capturing life’s special moments and memorializing them by creating personalized scrapbooks for those she loved. She brought the same care and attention to collecting and refurbishing historic family furniture and antique Americana, breathing new life into each piece while paying tribute to their rich history. She was especially devoted to meticulously researching and documenting her family’s genealogy, piecing together photos with oral and written family records to build a story of not only where they came from but who they were and the lives they lived.

Susan is survived by her husband, Michael Martens; her children, Joshua Swann and Jason Swann; her stepchildren, Avery Martens and David Martens; her grandson, Leo Swann; her brother, Greg (Debbie) Schaefer; and nieces, Kelly (Barrett) Schock and Carleigh Schaefer.

A visitation for Susan will be held Saturday, August 8th, 2026 from 2-6 pm at Tobias Funeral Home-Beavercreek Chapel, 3970 Dayton-Xenia Road, Dayton, OH 45432. A funeral service will occur at 2 pm on Sunday, August 9th, 2026, at Tobias Funeral Home-Beavercreek Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her memory be made to Diabetes Dayton. Condolences may be sent to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com