Martha F. Petrigala

1918 - 2012

A memorial family reunion was held Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in memory of Martha F. Petrigala, a longtime Lake County resident.
Born Sept. 22, 1918, in East Springfield, Pa., to Martha Ford Hall and James Miles Hall, as a young woman, she moved to Painesville, where she met and married her first husband, Adolph J. Luhta.
After his return from World War II, she helped him establish several businesses including Adolph J. Luhta Construction Company, Painesville Flying Service and Concord Airpark. They had two children.
Sadly, her second husband, Joseph Petrigala, died shortly after they were married.
Martha was a devoted wife, mother and friend and thought of others first. She gave rides to the elderly, watched children, remembered birthdays and was always ready with help in times of trouble. She was an early member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Painesville, where she served on the Altar Guild for decades.
People speak of her fondly. She is remembered by all with love and gratitude.
The last five years of her life were spent in Oregon, where she died March 10, 2012, of old age at 93.
She is survived by her children, Susan Aurin Panepento of Molalla Ore., and Adolph M. Luhta of Madison; as well as many nieces and nephews.