Martha Joan (Canary) Compton

1930 - 2025

Born the middle child to farmers Paul and Elsie, Martha Joan Canary entered the world on a Saturday, May 3, 1930, with barely-there golden locks highlighting her big, blue eyes. It was the first year of the Great Depression, Pluto was recently on the scene, sliced bread was fresh on the market, and a gallon of gasoline set you back 10 cents.

A Johnson County darling, Martha and her siblings were thrust into an analog world of hard work, handshake contracts, and a take-care-of-business mentality. With an award-winning Jersey herd surrounding the farm on three sides, Martha's upbringing set the stage for a lifetime of family and community fellowship.

Growing up, Martha loved being an aunt, worked alongside her mother raising and harvesting chickens, and later worked at the grocery store in downtown Franklin-early proof she was never afraid of work or responsibility.

Long before farm-to-table became mainstream marketing lingo, planting, cultivating, harvesting, and canning and cooking were second nature to the Canary family. Known for their pristine farm on the south side of the county seat, the Canarys lived an admirable, humble life. The first family in the county to have a dishwasher taking up counter space, they were also early to church, Franklin Community High School Band members, and 10-year Johnson County 4-H members. Through 4-H, Martha exhibited champion Jerseys and earned a State Fair entry with her baked goods. In 2024, she was recognized as the oldest 4-H'er in Johnson County during the organization's 100th-year celebration and parade, where she proudly served as grand marshal.

In 1951, months shy of graduating from Methodist Hospital with a nursing degree, Martha said yes to her first of two proposals from a striking brown-eyed farmer from east of Franklin. In a 24-hour engagement, Martha declared she couldn't marry without first receiving her nursing degree, unknowingly setting a precedent for her future granddaughters. That fall, post-graduation, Martha became Mrs. James Homer Compton wearing an ahead-of-its-time, strapless tea-length gown.

After they married, an Airstream served as the newlyweds' first home before J's lottery number led to his drafting for the Korean Conflict. The couple traveled to Fort Bliss in Texas, where J completed basic training. From there, he was sent to Germany for additional training, while Martha worked as a labor and delivery nurse at Johnson Memorial Hospital. In those early years, when life asked her to be both strong and patient, she adapted with ease-building lifelong friendships that wove through every season that followed. When J returned stateside, the two settled back in Texas for the remainder of his enlistment.

Upon returning to Johnson County, Martha and J re-established roots and became full-time farmers and parents to Steve, Pam, Beth Ann, and Tammy.

As a professional logistics coordinator and life CEO, Martha thrived with multiple irons on the fire. She served as a labor and delivery nurse, Brownie and Girl Scouts leader, band parent volunteer, cheerleading chaperone volunteer, and lifelong member at Union Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), where she served as a Deaconess and held various leadership positions within the church. A dedicated Eastern Star member and Lord's Cupboard board member, she never missed an opportunity to participate in church pitch-ins, deliver meals to the field, or have Sunday supper ready for anyone and everyone.

Even after she retired from full-time nursing, Martha never stopped being a nurse. She remained the go-to for family and friends, volunteered for decades as a nurse for local school health screenings, and stayed closely connected to her nursing community through monthly retired nurse luncheons at Bob Evans.

In a true-life love story, J and Martha's family tree grew, and then grew some more. At the southern Johnson County farm they called home, Martha was at her best during family pitch-ins, with J nearby, a Purdue basketball game on, and a handful of their 16 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren (and counting) gathered around.

She and J accomplished a lot in their lifetime, and they would have been the first to tell you their family was their biggest blessing. While chaotic, the big three holidays - Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas - continue to be family favorites.

It was in the kitchen where you heard an infamous, "I'm proud of you, hun," or a recipe recited from memory, many of which were featured in a cookbook celebrating her 90th birthday. It was the place you fell in love with Christmas chili, M&Ms not-so-hidden in the cupboard, and Easter angel food cake.

The kitchen was also the place that allowed food to serve as a catalyst for bringing new generations to the table. The truth is, it was never about the food. It was about the moments that turned into memories, and the laughter that carried through the house.

If Martha found something she liked, she bought it in every color - and more than a few of her grandkids would tell you they inherited that trait honestly.

While Martha was not a fan of leaving their southern Johnson County farm to move to Compass Park, she did what she always did-she made the most of it. She persevered, made friends with nurses and fellow residents, and continued showing up with the same grit and humor that defined her. Even, and especially, after J passed in July, Martha kept living.

This fall and into early winter, she spent her time doing what she loved most: watching her great-grandkids play. You could not keep Martha from a good basketball game.

She lived a big, bold life.

Just this past Christmas Eve, she stayed out late celebrating the birth of Jesus with more than 40 family members-still at the center of the room, still doing it her way.

Martha graduated to heaven on Monday, December 29, 2025, reunited with J and the loved ones who went before her. If there is one thing we know for sure, he waited for her at the pearly gates every single second of the last 158 days.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Elsie Canary; her three siblings, Betty, Bill, and infant James; and her husband, James Homer Compton. It was just like her to be the last to leave, and she left behind a large family who will always love her.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff of Compass Park and Luminary Hospice for the compassionate care and friendship they provided to Martha.

Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN will oversee arrangements. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, January 4, 2026 from 2:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. with a service on Monday, January 5, 2026 at 10:00 A.M and will be live-streamed at www.swartzmortuary.com/obituary/marthacompton. Burial will follow the service at Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin, IN.

In true Martha fashion, "oh, just one more thing..." In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Union Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, 1331 E 300 S, Franklin, Indiana 46131 or at unionchristiandoc.org/give.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information 317-738-0202.