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Martha Piegols
Martha Ann Piegols, 98, of Hart, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2024, at Cherry Blossom Manor, in Hart. She was born December 29, 1925, in Hart, the daughter of E. Monroe and Doris (Adair) Hawley.
Martha Ann grew up in Hart, helping her father on his farm and floral greenhouse. Following high school, she majored in math and education at Michigan State College (MSC), now known as Michigan State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1947. She married Alton Piegols (a World War II veteran) in August 1947. While he finished his degree at MSC, she taught Math in nearby Stockbridge.
After college, they moved back to her family’s farm where she lived past her 98th birthday. She spent the last five months of her life at Cherry Blossom Manor.
Over the years, Martha Ann was active on the farm (budding nursery stock and running the cherry crew in the orchard), family activities (downhill skiing, swimming, camping, and canoeing), and church (playing the piano and organ, singing in the choir, and teaching Sunday School). She also enjoyed reading, knitting, sewing, card playing (especially bridge), and, in retirement, clogging and square dancing.
Martha Ann was a Girl Scout leader for eleven years (she and Betty Lou Eisenlohr took their 9th grade troop to Washington D.C.), church camp counselor, and craft leader for 12-plus years at Camp Pilgrim Haven (with fun-loving high school students). She and Alton opened their home on Wednesday evenings for “Youth Rap”, where she led high schoolers to follow Jesus Christ more closely.
After their children were old enough, Martha Ann went back to teaching. She taught homebound students for 15 years, and was a substitute teacher for many years. She also tutored countless students to help them pass Algebra.
Martha Ann is survived by: her sister-in-law, Gretchen Hawley; son, Mark Piegols of Lansing; daughters, Nancy (Bob) Shannon of Rockford, Joann (Dave) Rennhack of Hart; “other daughter” Jordie Jordan of Peru, Indiana; and a host of other loving family and friends.
Martha Ann was preceded in death by: her husband, Alton Piegols; brother, Edward Hawley; sister, Ruth Hawley Bruce; and many other relatives and friends.
Martha Ann was a fun-loving and faithful follower of her Lord Jesus Christ. She requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Faith Christian Fellowship, 400 South Hart Street, Hart, MI 49420, and to remember her by having a hot dog roast with family and friends, and swimming in Lake Michigan.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at Shelby Road Baptist Church, 4066 West Shelby Road, Shelby with a luncheon to follow. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church.
Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
