Virginia M. Martin

Age 90, died peacefully March 24, 2013 in Sandusky, MI. She was born February 12, 1923 to Gertrude (Ross) and Thorwald Peterson in Grayling, MI. Married December 17, 1944 to Edward W. Martin of Grayling, who preceded her in death on June 7, 1983.
Virginia graduated from Central Michigan University in 1944 and began her teaching career in the Alma Public Schools where she taught music and third grade. Virginia also taught in the Lansing Public Schools, and worked at the Michigan State University Library. She was an active member of the Michelson Memorial United Methodist Church in Grayling, and Michigan Avenue Methodist and Asbury United Methodist churches in Lansing, serving as Sunday school teacher, pianist and choir member, Women's Society president and secretary, and trustee. Virginia was a devoted volunteer for the Sparrow Hospital Service Auxiliary for over 35 years. She was manager of the hospital gift shop, and served as president of the Service Auxiliary in 1977 – 78. In 1980, Virginia was named chairman of the auxiliary's committee to plan a new gift shop, a project that doubled the size of the existing facility. She and other members of the auxiliary served as consultants to hospitals in the region in planning and renovating their gift shops. Virginia was also a Red Cross bloodmobile volunteer for several years.
Virginia is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sarah and Donald Morath, of Port Sanilac, MI, and their son, Thomas, and his fiancé, Jaclyn Klein, of Sterling Heights, MI; her brother-in-law, Harvey Rowland of Grayling; nieces, Karen (Ted) Carlson of Sugar Hill, GA, Linda (Aubrey) Welch of Grayling, Janet (James) Bentley of Goderich, Ontario, Mary Ann (Robert) Clayton of Novi; and nephew, James (Pattie Rowland of Yakima, Washington, and several great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Beatrice Rowland in 2002 and Jean Gothro in 2006, and her daughter Kathleen Core in 2008.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, March 28, 2013 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 900 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing with the Rev. Martin DeBow of Asbury United Methodist Church officiating. The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at Elmwood Cemetery in Grayling. A memorial service to be held in the Grayling area will be announced later in the year. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Asbury United Methodist Church, 2200 Lake Lansing Rd., Lansing, MI 48912 or to Lower Cape Fear Hospice Foundation, 1414 Physicians Dr., Wilmington, NC 28401. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.grlansing.com