Lois Martin

Lois M. (Wenger) Martin, 85, of Chambersburg, PA, passed away Saturday morning, July 21, 2012 at Penn Hall Nursing Center. Born September 6, 1926 in Shippensburg, she was a daughter of the late Laban and S. Ruth (Hostetter) Wenger. Mrs. Martin was a graduate of the former Chambersburg High School and turned down a scholarship to Wilson College to marry and raise a family. She married Lloyd H. Martin on September 9, 1945 and he preceded her in death on November 10, 1998. Early in her life she assisted her mother with baking and door-to-door delivery of their baked goods in Shippensburg. She and her husband Lloyd worked with her father at the former Wenger’s Bakery on Broad Street. Mr. and Mrs. Martin together founded Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe in 1955 in a converted garage at their home on Edgar Avenue. They sold their goods at Farmer’s Markets in the Harrisburg and Carlisle areas and in the late 1950’s they sold their first wholesale delivery of Martin’s Potato Rolls to the former Scotland Road Market, now known as the Butcher Shoppe, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Martin owned and operated the former Martin’s Restaurant (remembered by its orange roof) on Lincoln Way East in Chambersburg for twenty-five years, selling the restaurant in 1987. Mrs. Martin was active with Martin’s Potato Rolls until the mid to late 1980’s.

She was a member of the Chambersburg Brethren in Christ Church. She taught Sunday School most of her life and she and her husband were active with Brethren In Christ Outreach, having served at the South Mountain Chapel for many years. Together Mr. and Mrs. Martin recorded with the Gospel Tide Hour for 30 years. Known as the “Gospel Tones”, the Martins sang for many years at area church services. Mrs. Martin enjoyed arts and crafts, cake decorating, and knitting and crocheting. She had a great love of nature and enjoyed spending time outdoors bird watching, camping, and fishing. She and her late husband traveled to all fifty states as well as Costa Rica, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. She spoke Spanish and German and played the piano, organ, and accordion. For many years she enjoyed spending time in Florida during the winter months, but always loved her home on Cornertown Road in Chambersburg, where she continued to live independently until June of this year.

She is survived by three children, James A. Martin and wife Donna F. (Gibble) of Chambersburg, Anita R. Riblet and husband Ron of Fredericksburg, and Keren M. Hernandez-Martin and husband Ricardo of Greencastle; ten grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two daughters, Dolores and Kathleen; and two brothers, John and Harry Wenger.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, July 29, 2012 at Chambersburg Brethren In Christ Church, 465 Center Street, Chambersburg, PA with Rev. Kevin Witter officiating. Interment will follow at Air Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00-9:00 PM Saturday at Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA and from 1:00-2:00 PM Sunday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Gospel Tide Broadcasting Association, PO Box 399 or the Brethren In Christ Missions, c/o Chambersburg Brethren In Christ Church, 465 Center Street, both in Chambersburg, PA 17201.