Barbara Martin

Eaton, IN

Barbara Lou (Gourley) Martin, 88, passed away peacefully Thursday afternoon November 4th, 2021 at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, IN surrounded by family.  She was born on August 12th, 1933 and was the youngest of 12 children to the late Lloyd and Clara Gourley.

Barbara was a graduate of Eaton High School in 1951.  She married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Edmund, in 1953.  They were blessed with 5 beautiful children and raised their family in rural Eaton, IN.  Barbara was kind, giving, and loving to all that knew her.  She enjoyed traveling the world over the years with husband Ed, family, and friends.  Barbara was a stay at home Mom for many years before working at Delaware Community School Corporation in the Special Education Department until retirement in 1996.  Barbara was a long-time member of Eaton First Christian Church.  In retirement, Barbara cherished spending time with her grandchildren and spoiled them with warm hugs, sugar cream pies, and so much love.  She enjoyed hosting family gatherings, country dancing, sitting outside on the swing with Ed, and indulging in video poker and going to casinos.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 68 years Edmund F. Martin; 4 children: Sandra (Stu) Cowgill, Karen (Cowboy DeFrance) Martin, Keith (Kim) Martin, Kim (Adam) Corn; 6 grandchildren: Kyle Cowgill, Whitnie (David) Scott, Kurt (Allyson) Cowgill, Dane (Chelsie Mason) Shaw, Jacob Martin, Kennedy Martin-DeFrance; and 3 great-grandchildren: Lea Rees-Scott, Kayleigh Milton, and Clara Scott. 

She was preceded in death by son, Scott Allen Martin; 11 siblings: Harald (Pauline) Gourley, Don (Ada) Gourley, Pauline (John) Hess, Wendell (Ellen) Gourley, Lawrence Gourley, Louise (Orville) Johnson, Mary Dean (Orville) Johnson, Merrill (Nondas) Gourley, Merle Gourley, Joyce (Fred) Rogers, and Norman (Alberta) Gourley; and 4 sibling in-laws: Wayne (Virginia) Martin, Lawrence (Irma) Martin, Robert (Ruth Ann) Martin, Nellie Jean (Ted) Studebaker.

A celebration of life will be held at the Dunkirk Elks Lodge #1776, 1026 S Main St., Dunkirk on Friday November 12th.  Visitation to begin at 2pm, service officiated by Pastor Frank Oakman at 3pm with food buffet to follow and a celebration of life through Friday evening.  Barbara will be privately entombed at Gardens of Memory, Muncie.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution can be made to either:

American Diabetes Association PO Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116 or Del-Com Foundation, 9750 N CR 200 E, Muncie, IN 47303

Pitman-Richman Funeral Home of Eaton is entrusted with arrangements. Visit PitmanRichman.com to sign the guestbook or share a memory with her family.

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