Martha Koontz, 96, Rockford, died at 10:10 a.m. March 25, 2013, at the Laurels of Shane Hill, where she had been a patient.

She was born March 11, 1917, in Willshire to Odus Lee and Mary Hazel Owens Byer. On April 8, 1939, she married Homer Alan Koontz, who died March 2, 2005.

Surviving is a son, Charles (Shari) Koontz of Rockford; a daughter, Claudia Grace Ray Noel of Greenville, N.C.; nine grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren.

She had lived her entire life in the area and was a very active member of the Rockford United Methodist Church, where she had held the positions of secretary, treasurer and board member. She was a very active member of the women's association, where she helped provide funeral dinners for families in the church.

She retired from the Mercer County Farm Service Agency, where she had worked for 22 years. She also was a homemaker and helped her husband farm. In addition, she was a member of the Eastern Star in Rockford.

Funeral services are noon Saturday at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, the Rev. Chip Steffy officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Rockford.

Calling is 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given to State of the Heart Hospice or to the Rockford United Methodist Church.

Condolences may be left at ketchamripley.com.