Martha Porter will observe her centennial birthday March 7.

The Ashley resident, a 1935 Cardington High School graduate, was born in 1917 in Cardington.

Her family will host a public reception from 2 to 4 pm on Saturday, March 11, at the White Lilly Chapel in Ashley.

Martha’s parents were the late John and Lulu Marie Kehrwecker.

She earned her nursing degree from Samaritan School of Nursing in Ashland in 1938 and worked at University Hospital, Columbus, Marion City Hospital and Marion General Hospital, Marion before retiring after working 40 years.

During her retirement, she conducted nursing duties in Ashley walking to her patient’s homes. Martha has never driven or owned an automobile.

She takes no medication, only a daily vitamin supplement. Although her vision is impaired, she is otherwise in good health. She loves to talk to friends on the telephone and never misses her favorite television shows, Scott Pelley and the CBS Evening News, Jeopardy and “Wheel of Fortune.”

She credits her longevity to her deep faith. She was active with the Westfield United Methodist Church until it closed and she attended the Ashley UMC. She belonged to the church’s Gleaner Class and the Volunteer Circle and the Rebekah Lodge in Ashley.

Martha’s husband, Ralph Porter, passed away in 1995.

Family members, who will host her party include her daughters Kay (Don) Healea, Pam (Paul) Fling, and sons William and (Becky) Porter and Doug (Carol) Porter, her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great- great grand- children. Congratulatory cards can be sent to Martha at 341 South Franklin Street, Ashley, OH 43003. The family asks for no gifts, please.

Martha joins classmates Esther Ackerman Cobourn and Donna Newcomer Shaffer Day in reaching their centennial year in 2017.

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By Evelyn Long

The Sentinel

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