Thelma M. Martin, age 68, of 1880 Pool Forge, Lancaster, died peacefully on_Sunday, September 7, 2008, at her home after a 6 month illness with brain cancer.

Born in Upper Leacock Township, Lancaster County, PA, she is the daughter of the late Willis John and Esther Frey (Gerlach) Banzhof. She is survived by her husband of 28 years, Kenneth R. Martin, also of 1880 Pool Forge.

Thelma was a graduate of Hempfield High School Class of 1957 and a member of Grace Brethren Church in Rohrerstown. She retired from Armstrong World Industries with 30 years service as a Credit Correspondent.

Thelma loved to take road trips throughout the US and especially liked New England, the Finger Lakes wine region, and Mount Rushmore. She has traveled in nearly all the states. She enjoyed socializing, cooking, gardening, bowling, cross-stitch, ceramics, decorating, shopping (especially at the Bon Ton), and collecting. She collected turtles, teapots, and memorabilia (Hershey’s, KC Chiefs, and Elvis). She is a member of the What’s Cookin’ Club and Yoga Club in the Village Grande Community.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a son, Barry Mahoney, husband of Cheri of Millersville; daughters, Mary (Mahoney) Kreider wife of Dick of Mountville; Lorise (Martin) Homsher, wife of Wayne of Ronks, PA; Lori (Mahoney) Buffenmyer, wife of Troy, of Willow Street; Andrea (Martin) Eckert, wife of Ray of Lancaster; Janette (Martin) Sickles, wife of David, of Dexter, ME; 11 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren; sister Darlene Smeltzer of Wrightsville, PA; and a brother, John Banzhof, husband of Joanne of Willow Street, PA.

A funeral service will be held at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home and Chapel, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA, on Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 11:00AM. Interment will be in Millersville Mennonite Cemetery. A viewing will be held at the funeral home on Thursday from 9:30 -11:00AM Contributions may be sent in Thelma’s name to The Caring Bridge website, www.caringbridge.org/visit/thelmamartin or to Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Drive, Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125. To send an online condolence, please visit www.snyderfunearalhome.com

Send Condolences
View Condolences