Jo Ann Martin

Jo Ann Martin, born October 20, 1934, in Boone, Iowa, passed away quietly into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the age of 90 on Thursday, October 31, 2024, while in hospice care during a family visit to Pennsylvania. Jo Ann was the daughter of the late George S. and Thelma H. (Morgan) Morris, also of Boone, Iowa. Jo attended the Boone City schools and was an All-State Basketball player in high school. She attended Boone Junior College, where she earned a teaching certificate. She began her adult life as an elementary school teacher in Mapleton, Iowa, and later in Boone. Her life was filled with teaching opportunities, which she always enjoyed.
Jo was married to Reverend Eugene R. Martin, also of Boone, for 56 years before he preceded her to heaven in May 2015. During their life together, they shared their ministry in several churches within the Primitive Methodist Church of America's denomination. They served at the New Diggings and Platteville PM Churches, WI. 1959-1962, and the Parsons PM Church in Wilkes Barre, PA. 1962-1980. From 1980 to 1987, they served as directors of the Pocono Mountain Bible Conference, a youth camp in Gouldsboro, PA. They also served the Old Forge & Taylor, PA PM church circuit from 1987-1994, and finally, at the Core Creek Church in Newtown, PA from 1994 until retiring in 2000. Jo was active in all phases of their church work but was very focused on youth ministry and music. Many times, combining the two areas and creating musical groups in the churches, leading the choir, running youth programs, and teaching Sunday School classes to many younger age groups. Her love of Jesus inspired her to share the word of God with young people and those not so young wherever her and Rev. Martin were stationed and literally anyone she met. She most recently was attending the First Baptist Church of Boone, where she remained active up until her recent trip east and illness.
Jo Ann is survived by her brothers, Paul A. Morris of Little Rock, AK, and Gale L. (Judy) Morris of Dayton, OH; sister, Helen E. Farr of Des Moines, IA; sisters-in-law, Virginia (Keith) Smith of Omaha, NE, and Linda Melvin of Camanche, IA; children: Lauri A. Bouk of Boone, IA, LTC (Ret.) Mark E. (Kathy) Martin of Lehighton, PA, Sheri L. Zindle of Gouldsboro, PA, and Timothy J. (Aubrey) Martin of Harveys Lake, PA; 18 Grandchildren; 18 Great-Grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and innumerable friends.
In addition to her parents and her loving husband, Jo Ann was preceded in death by her beloved sons-in-law, Kevin Bouk and Edward Zindle Sr.; sisters, Lora Mae Ward, Lois Steigerwalt, and Marilyn Moravetz; brothers: George, Walter, John, Warren, Phillip, and David; and several brothers and sisters-in-law.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at the First Baptist Church in Boone, with Pastor Janell Bloem officiating. Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be before the service from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will be at Boone Memorial Gardens Cemetery following the funeral service.
Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 515-432-4550.