H. Earlyn Martz

H. Earlyn Reed Martz, 85, of 410 Greenridge Road, New Kensington, died on April 24, 2020 in her home, after a brief illness. Born July 20, 1934 in Hudson, New York, she was the daughter of the late Rev. John Earl Reed and Helen Doak Reed.

She came to the western Pennsylvania area in 1941, and except for brief residences in California and Kentucky, has lived in the area since then.

Mrs. Martz was employed as an adult education instructor for Private Industry Council and before that as an English and social studies teacher in various schools in western Pennsylvania and Lexington, Kentucky. She retired from teaching social studies at Valley Middle School in 1996. She was a graduate of Thiel College and the University of Kentucky.

An active member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Kensington, Earlyn was also involved in advocacy for the unemployed, recycling, and various educational endeavors. Beginning in 1999, she served as a lay worship leader in more than 40 congregations in the southwestern PA synod of the ELCA.

Survivors include her sons, Joseph E. (Barbara A.) Martz, of Crownsville, MD and David R. (Lisa) Martz, of Bear, DE; daughter, Barbara L. Martz, of New Kensington; four grandchildren, Joshua (Lillian) Martz, Lindsay Gayle Martz, Reed Joseph Martz, and Timothy Joseph (Joanna) Martz; and brother, E. Robert (Connie) Reed, of York, PA.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Fred H. Martz; and brother, Jon A. Reed.

All services are private for immediate family only. Private interment will be in Greenwood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell.  A memorial service will be held at a later date in the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Kensington. Ross G. Walker Funeral Home Ltd., 217 Freeport Road, New Kensington was entrusted with the arrangements. rossgwalker.com 

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