Martha Louise Merkle Pudsey, 88, Dayton, died Feb. 20, 2011, in Carmel, Ind.

She was born July 8, 1922, in Rockford, to Lewis and Bertha Parker Merkle Sr. She married Ralph Pudsey, who is deceased.

Surviving are a daughter, Rita (David) Wilson, Carmel, Ind., and a niece she raised, Ivy (Patrick Geddes) Lessner, Mission Valley, Calif; two sisters, Olga Nave, Rockford, and Margaret Baker, Van Wert; a brother, David (Barbara) Merkle, Ohio City; three sisters-in-law, Jennie Merkle, Montezuma, Kathleen (Alan) Grossart and Sheila (Brian) Lidster, England; a brother-in-law, Brian Street, England; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Also deceased are a brother, Lewis Merkle Jr.; and a sister, Marie Lessner.

She graduated from Rockford High School and attended Sinclair and Miami-Jacobs colleges. She assisted visiting officers at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base during World War II. She was an office manager for Mend Inc. She also was active at Grace United Methodist Church in Dayton and the Homebuilders class.

A memorial service will be held April 30 at the church.

Memorials may be made to the church.