Mary Vera Martin (106) of Mason

Mary Vera Martin, age 106, of Mason, Illinois passed away peacefully at 9:10 p.m. Monday, May 18, 2020 at Lutheran Care Center in Altamont, Illinois.

There will be a private family service. Burial will be at Arborcrest Memorial Park in rural Effingham, Illinois. Mark White will be officiating. Memorials may go to Lutheran Care Center, Mason Christian Church, or the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be expressed by clicking here.

Mary was born the youngest child and only daughter of Nicholas “Bud” and Mary “Molly” (Reed) Wharton on January 26, 1914 in Mason Township, Illinois. She married Ray Franklin Martin on January 20, 1938 in Terre Haute, Indiana. Although she never had children of her own, she helped raise her niece, Marlene (Wharton) DeWeese after Marlene’s mother died. She was the “favorite” aunt of many nieces and nephews and loved all children. She lived her whole life in the Mason area and was a member of the Mason Christian Church. Mary was a homemaker and enjoyed planting large gardens and working beside her husband on the family farm. She was always willing to help anyone that needed anything.

She is survived by Marlene Deweese (husband Ed) of Mason, Morris Wharton (wife Karen) of Mason, Lee Sims (wife Mary) of Mason; Carol Laatsch (husband Bill) of Altamont; Gene Wharton of Altamont; Zetta Haag (husband Don) of Effingham; Janet Cummings (husband Jan) of Galesburg; Evelyn Maser (husband Rolland) of Quincy, Florida; Doris Stock of Decatur; and many other great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Nicholas “Bud” and Mary “Molly” Wharton; husband, Ray Martin; brothers, Ora, Raleigh, Leland, and Lester; and niece, Letha (Wharton) Brewer.