Martha Ann Cauble Willis Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Martha Ann Cauble Willis, age 85, of Centerville passed away October 25, 2021. Martha was born in Louisville KY on 12/17/1935 to Thomas and Natalie Cauble. She attended Wittenberg University and Kettering College of Medical Arts. Martha worked as an RN at Kettering Medical Center, Sycamore Medical Center and Hospice of Dayton. Martha and her husband Charlie traveled extensively including all 50 states and over 20 foreign countries as well as 30 Elderhostels. Martha was a member of PEO (Philanthropic Education Organization), the Centerville Women's Civic Club, The Stephen Ministry and the United Methodist Women. Along with her parents Martha is preceded in death by her sister Nancy Tullus and nephew Mark Petry. She is survived by her loving husband of 66 years Charles Willis, daughter Karen Lewis (Paul), son Steven Willis (Wendy) and niece Marcia Benninger (Tom). Martha is also survived by her grandsons, John Lefforge (Marcie), Jesse Lefforge (Mollie), Kyle Willis (Madison), Joseph Lefforge (Mackenzie), Caleb Willis (Kaitlin) and Nathan Willis (Haley) as well as great grandchildren Landon, Jameson, Grace, Olivia, and Skylar. Committal Service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at David's Cemetery, 4600 Mad River Road, Kettering. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 6th at Normandy United Methodist Church, 450 West Alex-Bell Road, Centerville. Please visit reislegacycenter.com to express words of encouragement and share your memories of Martha. Martha wrote the following words, reflecting on her life. It is a pleasure to share. Martha's Life - My personal history and what my life has been about: I grew up as the youngest of two girls in Louisville KY. My mother was a homemaker, and my father was a dentist. I was a happy little girl and had a happy childhood. At Georgetown High School in Georgetown IN, I participated in all of the activities and was a cheerleader for the basketball team. I was the piano accompanist for the Glee Club. College: I went to Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH for two years majoring in home economics. Marriage to Charlie: The absolute love of my life. The most important person to me in many ways. He is the most wonderful person I have ever known. We married July 23, 1955. Children: Karen and Steve are sweet, loving and giving. They are non-judgmental, accepting and supportive. The BOYS: These six grandsons are so very important in my life. They are sweet and cheerful and funny. I love them so dearly. My life is full with them as our grandsons. Johnny, Jesse and Joey are sons of Karen. Kyle, Caleb and Nathan are sons of Steve. Travel: Charlie and I have been to all 50 states and 20 plus foreign countries and more than 30 Elder hostels. Church: We were married at First Lutheran Church in Louisville. We attended Lutheran churches where ever we lived until we moved to Dayton in 1967. We selected Normandy Methodist Church because of the ministers (Milford Ater and Harvey Smith) and the friendliness of the church. We love Normandy. Church Activities: Stephen Ministry, United Methodist Women, Bible Study classes, Couples Club - Delta and Round Table Sunday School Class. I graduated from Kettering College of Medical Arts in 1972 and passed the state RN boards. My first job was two years on a medical floor (3 South) at Kettering Hospital in Kettering OH. I then worked in the Cardiac Care Unit at Kettering for an additional two years. Following that I helped set up the ICU at Sycamore Hospital. In 1981 I became a Hospice Nurse at Hospice of Dayton. I would see patients in their homes with their families. At that time there was no inpatient hospice facility. I returned to Sycamore ICU in 1982 when I joined the staff of the newly opening Adolescent Substance Abuse Unit. After 3 years I once again returned to the ICU at Sycamore. In 1992 Charlie and I moved to Kalamazoo MI for 3 years where Charlie worked at The Fetzer Foundation. My life in Kalamazoo was wonderful and I was very active at the First United Methodist Church there. I became a Stephen Minister, volunteered at Hospice and was a member of the Newcomers Club. Returning to Dayton in 1995 allowed us to spend time with our family and see our grandsons more. We returned to our beloved Normandy Church and old friends. We now have five great grandchildren: Landon, Jameson, Grace, Olivia, and Skylar.

Martha Ann Cauble Willis

December 17, 1935 - October 25, 2021