HELEN MARTS BRANIN

Helen Marts Branin (Fox), 99, of Millville died peacefully at her home after an extended illness. Mrs. Branin was born in Bridgeton to Cloyd and Elizabeth Fox where she graduated from Bridgeton High School in 1927. She married Maurice Marts and moved to Millville in 1928. Mrs. Branin was employed as a secretary to Maude Borda of the Cumberland County Health Association. During World War II, she was chief clerk of the county Rationing Board, serving Millville, Vineland and Port Norris. She also worked for Kimble and Prince Lumber Co. and Wheaton Die Casting Co. as secretary. The plant was moved to Dorchester, and was known as Dorchester Industries, where Mrs. Branin became the purchasing agent and manager of the gift shop. After her first husband, Maurice, died in 1969, Mrs. Branin was remarried to William in 1977 and retired in 1980. Mrs. Branin was very active and involved in her community: She was a life member and treasurer for the Western School PTA; a former member of the Millville Womans Club and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Millville Elks. In addition, she was an over 50-year member of Trinity United Methodist Church and presently Fourth United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the Clara Jones Sunday school class. Mrs. Branin enjoyed working in her yard, especially planting and tending her flowers. She liked playing cards, visiting Atlantic City, doing jigsaw puzzles, reading and collecting antiques. Her favorite collectible was dolls. Her greatest joy was visiting with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mrs. Branin is survived by a daughter, Sherry Peek and husband Norman of Millville; and son-in-law, Robert Zielsdorf Sr. of Tennessee; nine grandchildren, Suzanne Mancus and husband Herb of Ocean City, Sam Curio of Vineland, Robert Zielsdorf Jr. and wife Greer of Florida, Nancy Mooney and husband Steven of Pennsylvania, Sherry Marts and husband Larry of Washington, D.C., Patty Marts of Palermo, JoAnn Peek of Brigantine, Karen Brown and husband Jim of Georgia, and Melissa Peek of Millville; and nine great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husbands, Maurice Marts in 1969 and William Branin in 1985; daughter, Edna Zielsdorf in 2007; son, William "Bill" Marts in 1987; and daughter-in-law, Jessie Marts in 2005. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Rocap Shannon Memorial Funeral Home, where friends may call at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Fourth United Methodist Church, 3rd Street and Kates Boulevard, Millville, NJ 08332; or South Jersey Healthcare HospiceCare, P.O. Box 126, Salem, NJ 08079. Written condolences may be sent to rocapshannon@aol.com.