Martha L. (Slagg) Oechsle

Martha L. (Slagg) Oechsle, 89, passed away Monday, Feb. 13, in Fort Wayne with her family by her side. 

Born in Washburn, North Dakota, Martha graduated from Taylor University in 1951 earning her bachelor’s degree, and later completed her master’s degree from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne in 1977. Martha served as a teacher with schools in Maryland, North Dakota and Indiana. She also served as a preschool director in Winamac. She was a member of Covenant United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, Adventurers, Parkview Senior Club, and loved supporting the local arts. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family. 

Surviving are her husband of 66 years Harold Oechsle of Fort Wayne; children: Elaine [David] Stowell of Tarzana, California, Barbara Oechsle of Columbia City, Douglas Oechsle of Burnsville, Minnesota, and Janis [Kevin] Davidson of Fort Wayne; daughter of the heart, Joyce Rinker of Marion; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandchild due in August; several nieces and nephews. 

Martha was preceded in death by her parents Willliam and Anna Slagg; three brothers; and one sister. 

Friends and family called at D.O. McComb & Sons Pine Valley Park Funeral Home, 1320 East Dupont Rd., Fort Wayne, on Thursday, Feb. 16, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Service was at 10 a.m., Friday, Feb. 17, at Covenant United Methodist Church, 10001 Coldwater Rd., Fort Wayne, with calling one hour prior. Burial was in Green Hill Cemetery, of Columbia City. 

Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), 810 12th Ave. S., Nashville, TN, 37203 or Heartland Hospice. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.domccombandsons.com.

(Pulaski County Journal — Feb. 22, 2017)