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Martha R. Van Gorder

Untitled1TUCSON, AZ – Martha R. Van Gorder, an amazingly spirited, musical and generous woman, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, Feb. 3, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz.

Martha was born Feb. 17, 1926, on the Ohio family farm in Munson Township, to Lynn H. and Katherine Sitz Reiter.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Herbert; and siblings, Hilda Joiner, Helen Mitchell and Harold Reiter.

Martha is survived by her children, Sharyn (Al Chesser), of Tucson, and Jan Arthur (Patricia), of Springfield, Ohio; five grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; sister Florence Clause, of Vero Beach, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews.

After retiring from Van Gorder Hardware Company and moving to Vero Beach, Fla., Martha took care of her husband, played trumpet in several dance bands and embraced physical fitness.

“Marty” accrued thousands of volunteer hours at Geauga Community Hospital, Indian River Memorial Hospital and Tucson Medical Center as well as playing taps for funerals of veterans.

Both a private and public philanthropist, she quietly funded multiple college scholarships, service projects worldwide and achieved Major Donor status withThe Rotary Foundation.

Celebration of Life will be held July 17 on Seymour Lake, Trent Hills, Ontario, Canada — Martha’s beloved second home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to UA Foundation/Martha Van Gorder Trumpet Scholarship. Gifts should be sent to: UA College of Fine Arts, P.O. Box 210004, Tucson, AZ 85721.