Marilyn Rose Martin

Marilyn Rose VanZant Sanders Adams Martin was born on February 8, 1930 to Vernon Esley and Audrey Margaret (Ashton) VanZant at their home near Anderson, Indiana.  She left this life to be with her Savior on August 31, 2022. Precious in the sight of The Lord is the death of His Saints. Psalm 116:15

Marilyn described a wonderful childhood which included the influence of many near and extended family members. Her formal education began at Valley Grove community school, then continued at Anderson High School (class of 1948) and Ball State where she studied elementary education. She taught elementary classes and served as reading specialist for Middletown schools where a generation remembers her as “Mrs. Sanders”.

She married Edwin Sanders on June 21^st, 1952. They shared 28 years of marriage until Ed’s life was taken in an auto accident in 1980. Together they raised four children who gave them 19 grandchildren who have thus far given them 39 great-grandchildren.

In 1984 she married Don Adams and shared life with him until Don lost his battle with cancer in 1995.  Marilyn and Gene Martin married in 2004 and adventured together for four years before a sudden stroke took him away.

Marilyn loved to sing, read, study history, research genealogy, knit, and do word puzzles. She was grateful that she had been able to travel extensively, visiting the Holy Land, Europe, the U.K., Canada, Mexico, and nearly all the states of the U.S. She enjoyed many dear friends through her years of involvement with area home economics clubs and Bible Study Fellowship.

She is survived by her children Rose McDaniel, Tim (Wendi) Sanders, Chris (Leah) Sanders, and Jon (Barb) Sanders, grandchildren Jennessa (Andrew), Carissa (Austin), Michael (Erica), Lora Lynn (Andrew), Noah (Dorothy), Abbi (Callum), Rebekah (Chad), Grace (Alex), Ethan, Emanuel, Gibby, Nehemiah, Luke (Kristen), Christen, Isaac, Hannah (Jacob), Audrey Ann (Eric), Caleb, and Ben (Lily), 39 great-grandchildren, sisters Elaine Chambless, Anita Cable, and Lorabeth (Ed) Hoover, and brother Randall (Connie) VanZant. The Adams and Martin families also had a special place in her heart.

Marilyn was predeceased by her parents and three husbands.

The family is very grateful for the loving care she received from the staff at Middletown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and from Paradigm Health hospice care.

A service will be held on Sunday at 3:00 pm at Brown-Butz-Diedring Funeral Service and Crematory, 515 E. 53^rd St., Anderson, IN 46013. Burial will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 am at Middletown Miller Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 pm on Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shenandoah Scholarship Foundation, 7354 W. US HWY 36 Middleton, IN 47356.