Silva Martin

LAGRANGE - Silva J. Martin, 91, of LaGrange, Indiana, passed away peacefully at her daughter's home in Hudson, Indiana, on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.

On May 9, 1934, in Zag, Kentucky, Silva was born to Henry J. and Clella A. (Peyton) Rigsby.

A lifelong resident of LaGrange County, Silva dedicated 32 years of service as a nurse's aide at LaGrange Community Hospital.

She was a member of the First Church of God in LaGrange.

Silva was a devoted homemaker whose warmth extended into her kitchen. She was a gifted cook and canner, well-known for her delicious homemade ice cream. She loved to travel, especially when those journeys could be shared with her children and grandchildren. Music also filled her life - whether strumming her guitar, playing the piano, or lifting her voice in the bluegrass and gospel songs she cherished. In her retirement years, she enjoyed driving for the Amish community, forming many lasting friendships along the way.

On Aug. 6, 1951, she married Ora E. Hall in Angola, Indiana. He preceded her in death on Nov. 12, 1965.

Years later, on June 14, 1982, she married Dale R. Martin, who preceded her in death on March 5, 2011.

Silva is lovingly survived by her children, Sondra Jones, of Kendallville, Indiana, Pamela Conley, of Hudson, Indiana, Lisa Hall, of LaGrange, Indiana, Jackie Lounsbury, of LaGrange, Indiana, and Ora Brent Hall, of Ashley, Indiana. She was a proud grandmother of 11; great-grandmother of 19; and great-great-grandmother of one. Also surviving are her sister, Birdeen (Bob) Hoslerm of Kendallville, Indiana; and her brother, Kenneth (Martha) Rigsby, of Avilla, Indiana.

She was preceded in death by her husbands; her parents; two sons-in-law, James Jones Sr., and Ray Conley; five sisters, Josephine Johnson, Martha Longardner, Barbara Smith, Mae Belvin and Janet Miller; and five brothers, Mike, Vic, Ray, Harold and Ted Rigsby.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, at 11 a.m., at Woodruff Grove Church, 4860 S. 450E, Wolcottville, Indiana, with the Rev. Chris Wilde officiating.

Burial will follow at Woodruff Cemetery, rural Wolcottville.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, from 3-7 p.m., at Frurip-May Funeral Home, 309 W. Michigan St., LaGrange, Indiana.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Stroh Church of God.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.fruripmayfuneralhome.com.