Betty M. Martz

On December 20, 2016, Betty Marie Martz, nee Knobel, left the bonds of earth to join her husband, son and family that have gone on ahead to that far better place. She was born on a winter's day, February 6, 1930 in her grandfather's farmhouse outside Decatur, MI. Betty grew up in Wilmette, Illinois and Phoenix, Arizona. In 1950, after a short dating period, she married James E. Martz, from Chicago, Illinois. They were together until his passing on April 5, 2011. She was a loving wife, mother, grandma and great grandma who put everyone ahead of herself. She was our rock and taught us so much; we will be lost without her. She was an incredibly strong woman who never said a bitter word or complained about her situation. She loved reading, traveling, Arizona, Christmas, teaching and playing card games with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Proud great grandma to Jonathan Neel, Abigail Neel, Hailey Martz, Chelsea Martz and Olivia Martz; grandma to Stephanie Martz-Neel, James V. and Katelyn Martz, Susan Martz, Andrew and Dani Martz, Katherine Bishop and Alan Czerwinski; mother to James and Tina Martz, Betty Jeanne Bishop, and the late John C. Martz (10-20-1988), sister to David (Nancy) Knobel. We know she'll make a nice place in heaven for us, just as she always did here on earth. Visitation will be held on January 6, 2017 from 5 to 8pm at Marsh Funeral Home with a memorial service on January 7, 2017 at 11am at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 824 Lewis Ave. Waukegan, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church or Alzheimer's Association National Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave, Fl.17 Chicago, IL 60601.