Martha Loraine Wilhite passed away on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, after suffering from metastatic lung cancer. Born on November 13, 1929, in Ladoga, Indiana to the late Virgil Frisbee Long and Violet Wanita Long of Ladoga, she was the oldest of four sisters. Marty, as she was affectionately known, graduated from Ladoga High School in 1948 and married Homer Steward shortly thereafter. She and Homer had two sons….Raymond Eugene Steward in and Floyd Allen Steward….and they lived in Crawfordsville, Indiana.
In 1958, after her first marriage ended, Marty married Charles Wilhite of Fort Branch, Indiana and the family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. While raising her family, Marty was a babysitter in her home, and when the boys were older and in school, she began a job working in Neff Cleaners and remained a loyal employee for this business until she retired. Her friendly smile, helpful efficiency, and contagious laughter endeared her to customers and fellow employees alike. In 2006, she and Charles moved to Lake Worth, FL where she lived until her death.
Marty loved her family and welcomed into her heart the families of her two daughters-in-law when Ray and Floyd married. She is survived by her son Ray (Jody) of Lake Worth, Florida, and her son Floyd (Anne) of Roswell, Georgia. She also leaves behind six grandchildren: Matthew Steward (Sally) of Danville, IN, Lori Bell (John) of Suwanee, GA, Joe Steward (Lyndsay) of Coatesville, IN, Allen Steward (Carley) of Woodstock, GA, Barb Rennels (Jon) of Glencoe, IL, and Charlie Steward (Sara) of Harrison, NY, as well as nine great grandchildren. Marty is also survived by her youngest sister Sarah McAlister (Bill) of The Villages, FL., as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She was preceded in death by her infant child, her parents, her sisters Mary Perry and Margaret Desselle, husband Charles, and ex-husband Homer.
Marty was very active her whole life, and especially enjoyed camping with Charles and taking long walks. Her family and friends could always count on her to be happy and ready to laugh and have fun. She often remarked, “if you can’t have fun, it’s not worth living” and she consistently lived up to that motto. She was very musical….played trumpet in her high school band….and took advantage of any opportunity to “dance to the music.” She loved to play games and usually had a jigsaw puzzle in the works. Having fun with her grandchildren and great grandchildren was one of Marty’s greatest loves, and they all loved her right back. She’ll be in our hearts forever! Marty will be laid to rest next to her husband Charles in the Columbarium Complex in the South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth, Florida.
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