Martha Jeanette Hesler's Obituary
Martha Jeanette Hesler (Van Scyoc), 95, of Decatur, passed away at 5:00 a.m. on Friday, April 5, 2019 in Decatur.
Martha Van Scyoc was born November 5, 1923 in Mattoon, Illinois. She was the daughter of Roscoe and Ora Van Scyoc. She grew up in Coles County.
Martha was always hard-working and determined. During the struggles of the Great Depression, she decided she would really like to learn how to play the piano, but had no money to pay for lessons. She went to a local piano teacher and asked if she could clean her house in exchange for piano lessons. This resulted in her learning to play the piano beautifully. She also had the gift of a beautiful singing voice and could harmonize with ease. Moreover, she knew by heart the words of several verses of all her favorite hymns. Her children grew up listening to her sing hymns, and even at age 95 she was singing in the choir at Primrose.
Martha was married on November 12, 1947 to Wilbur Conrad Hesler, and they shared a happy and wonderful life together for 64 years. They had two children, Susan Diana Ferguson, now of Wheaton, and Conrad Dale Hesler of Decatur.
Martha was an active member of Grace United Church. Her faith life was central to her life, and she was a member of Grace United Methodist for more than 60 years. She was a past president of United Methodist Women and was active in Rebekah Circle.
She was also a member of Eagles Auxiliary and the VFW Auxiliary.
Before and during retirement, Martha and Conrad traveled widely throughout the United States, visiting every state but Alaska and Connecticut. They enjoyed camping and appreciating nature in the great outdoors. Martha traveled with a church group on a very special trip to Israel. This pilgrimage was a favorite and meaningful memory for her.
What Martha enjoyed most was spending time with her family. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Her dear husband, Conrad, preceded her in death in January, 2012. She is survived by her children, Roger (Alta), Susan and Dale (Jeanne), seven grandchildren: Michelle Ferrara (Michael), Robert Hesler, Renee Soper, Laura Reedy Lazinzka, Benjamin Wilkey (Buffy), Julie Semyck (David), and Philip Wilkey (Jamie), as well as step-grandson, Thomas Ferguson (Virginia), step grandchildren Michelle, Amber, Lisa and Ariel, and by thirteen great
grandchildren: Debra, Jennifer, Madison, Jackson, Charlotte, Mirabel, Luke, Owen, William, Ava, Rowan, Ella, Zachary and Alexandra, and eleven great-great grandchildren.
Also surviving are her brother-in-law Kenneth Hesler and wife Nancy of Charleston. Also dear to her were many nieces and nephews.
All of her six brothers and sisters (Raymond, Aline, Billy, Harold, Mary June and Ruth) preceded her in death.
Martha was a resident for 6 1/2 years of Primrose Retirement Community. The family would like to thank the staff, residents and friends there who helped make her life happy and fulfilling after the death of her husband. A special friend of Martha’s, Evelyn Traxler, is still a resident at Primrose. A very special thank you goes also to Grace United Methodist Church for their continuing love and support of Martha, even after she was unable to attend church. Pastor Sig Bjorklund brought much comfort to Martha through his pastoral care. Mary Grace McCann was a dear friend of Martha and the family is so grateful for the visits, love and support she gave to her.
The family would also like to thank the caring nurses at Fair Haven Christian Village and Safehaven Hospice who cared for Martha in her final days. Chaplain Sonya brought much comfort to her during that time.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Grace United Methodist Church in Decatur.
Visitation will be held at Moran & Goebel Funeral Home in Decatur on Wednesday, April 10th between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Martha’s life will be celebrated at Grace United Methodist Church, 901 N. Main St., Decatur, on Thursday, April 11th at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Macon County Memorial Park near Harristown.
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