Ruth Ann Martin

Ruth Ann Martin, 75, of Pioneer entered into her heavenly home on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, surrounded by her family at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Ruth fought courageously for the past several years with metastatic breast cancer with very little complaints. She was born on Oct. 5, 1949, in Napoleon to Albert and Esther M (Rathge) Bostelman. Ruth graduated as valedictorian of Tinora High School in 1967, then earned her Bachelor's of Education from Adrian College. On Aug. 11, 1973, she married Robert S. Martin, and he survives.

Ruth currently attended Lakeview United Brethren Church in Camden, Michigan, and Lake Placid Christian Church in Florida. She was a longtime member of Columbia Church of Christ, where she was involved with WCS, Women of Christian Service.

Ruth was the current owner and operator of the Pioneer Pizza Barn for the last 50 years; she was also the owner/operator of Reading Pizza Barn from 1979-2018. To Ruth the Pizza Barns were like her sixth child, where she influenced many lives of not only her customers, but her employees. Prior to that she taught for three years as a junior high math teacher at Kunkle School.

She enjoyed spending her winters with her husband Bob in Lorida, Florida, at Palm Estates. Ruth's grandchildren were very important to her and she loved going to their sporting events, especially at the ballfields. She also enjoyed listening to Christian music and watching Detroit Tigers baseball.

Ruth is survived by her husband of almost 52 years, Robert; children, Angela Garnes of Westerville, Ohio, Shane (Erica) Martin of Pioneer, Kara (Brent) Sloan of Grabill, Indiana, Misty (Ethan) Stivers of Georgetown, Kentucky, and Jason (Jenilea) Martin of Bryan; 20 grandchildren, Payton, Maddy, Brant and Jadyn Garnes, Ashlynn, Thane and Carissa Martin, Riley, Brogan, Grady and Oakley Sloan, Lincoln, Addi, Emara and Rhenn Stivers, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Selah Rose, Gracelyn and Zechariah Martin; three great-grandchildren; siblings, Elaine (Bob) Keinath of Reese, Michigan, Betty (John) Burns of Columbia, South Carolina, and Eldon (Deb) Bostelman of Defiance; and her sisters in-law, Shirley and Sharon Martin of Pioneer.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Janet Petarra; and grandson, Braxton Sloan.

Visitation for Ruth will be on Sunday, Aug. 10, from 4-8 p.m. at Lakeview United Brethren Church. Services will be on Monday at 11 a.m. at Lakeview Church with the Pastor Stephen Smith to officiate. Interment will follow at Floral Grove Cemetery in Pioneer. Memorial contributions may be given to Christian Campus House at Trine University or Lakeview United Brethren Church or Lake James Christian Camp and Retreat Center in Angola. Condolences can be left for the family at www.thethompsonfuneralhome.com.