Mabel Irene Martin

February 27, 1945 - January 30, 2020

Mabel Irene Martin was born on Feb, 27, 1945 to her parents, Christian and Esther Ruth (Beery) Shirk in Goodville, PA. She passed from this life after declining health at the Moundridge Manor, in Moundridge, KS. Mom grew up in Narvon, PA, where she received her formal education and graduated from the 8th grade at the Churchtown Elementary School. Mom married our father, Floyd W. Martin on December 25, 1966 in East Earl, PA. They shared the joys and sorrows of life for 42 years until Dad passed away in June of 2008. To their home was born 6 sons and 2 daughters. They spent most of their married lives in the Versailles, MO community. Mom was baptized a member into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite, on her birthday, Feb, 27, 1977. She was a devoted homemaker and a very good seamstress. She would often sew us clothes and repair the ones we wore out. Mom seemed to have a photographic memory, often recalling with amazing clarity where our things were or someone’s name or phone number when no one else could remember. Mom loved singing, and enjoyed listening to songs and would often have selections that were special to her. Mom would often call us children inside from our play with a unique whistle she could make that could be heard for miles. Mom moved to the Moundridge Manor in Moundridge KS in July of 2007. At the Manor she was known to all as Irene Martin. Here she enjoyed many things including puzzles and craft projects. She was preceded in death by her infant son, Norman Lee, her husband, her parents, two sisters, Lois Rhodes and Mary Etta Hoover, and one brother Noah Ward Shirk. Left to cherish fond memories are her children, Warren of Otterville, MO, Vernon and Susan, of Ringwood OK, Leonard and Kathy of Sumner TX, Rachel Albert of Versailles, MO, Sam and Kim of Versailles, MO, RuthAnn Silvey of Versailles, MO, and Kenneth of Sunrise Beach, MO. Her brothers, Edwin and Ruth Shirk, Christian and Gail Shirk, Paul and Jessie Shirk, and John and Ada Naomi Shirk all of Lancaster County, PA. Sisters, Edith Henry of Singers Glen, VA, Ruth and Robert Good of Lancaster County, PA, Reba and Garry Kline of Rockingham, VA, and Miriam Trunk of Rome, PA. Sixteen grandchildren, one great-grandson, several nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Tuesday Feb 4, 2020 at the Church of God in Christ Mennonite, Beulah Congregation in Versailles. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Monday, Feb 3rd at the Kidwell-Garber funeral Home in Versailles. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Moundridge Manor. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Kidwell- Garber Funeral Home of Versailles.