Dorothy Pearl (Leiter) Martin

Dorothy Pearl Leiter Martin of Kendallville, passed away Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at Parkview Noble Hospital in Kendallville, Indiana with loving family around her. Born January 27, 1929 to Clarence and Pearl (Wood) Leiter, in LaOtto, Indiana; Dorothy graduated from Huntertown High School in 1947. On September 29, 1950 she married Edmund Martin in Kendallville; they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2000. He preceded her in death in November, 2000.

Dorothy was a woman whose quiet strength, unwavering determination and love of family defined her. She did not set out to influence others, but by holding herself to a high standard and living life to the best of her ability, she greatly impacted those around her.   

In 1969 she fulfilled a life-long dream of becoming a beautician and graduated from Ravenscroft Beauty College. She opened the Martin Haus Beauty Salon soon thereafter and successfully ran that business until her official retirement in 2013. She also worked part-time and volunteered at many assisted living and nursing home facilities in the area.  

For hobbies and outside interest, Dorothy was very talented as a seamstress as well as in knitting, interior design, furniture restoration and baking, furnishing her signature pies for a time to a local restaurant.  She was passionate about her community and strongly believed in being involved at a citizen level.  

Dorothy worshipped at First Christian Church in Kendallville and was involved with various Bible study groups as well as supported many programs benefiting youth and those in need.

As a loving and devoted mother and grandmother, Dorothy liked nothing better than ‘visiting’ with her loved ones on a regular basis and sending them off with treats.  In later years, Dorothy and Ed shared travels throughout the U.S. and Canada as tourists and fishing enthusiasts.  

The 10th child of 11, Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Glenn Leiter, Glade Leiter, Bob Leiter, Cleo (Pete) Leiter, and Ray Leiter; and her sisters, Carrie Russell, Helen Thorn, Mary Peduto, June Hadley, and Gladys McNabb. 

Dorothy is survived by her children Vickie Thomas and husband, Dick, of Denver, CO; Kathy Parrish and husband, Rick, of Kendallville; and Jim Martin and his wife Cristine of Fort Wayne as well as five grandchildren Samantha Butler, Jason Thomas, Adam Martin, Susan Parrish and Kelsey Martin in addition to five great-grandchildren McKenzie, Avery and Brynn Butler and Reece and Dominic Martin.

Services will be held Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 11:30 am at Hite Funeral Home in Kendallville with Pastor Bob Farmer officiating. 
Visitation will be prior to the services from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. 
Interment will be at Lake View Cemetery in Kendallville. Pallbearers will be Jim Martin, Adam Martin, Mike Martin, Rick Parrish, Dick Thomas, and Jason Thomas. 
Memorials to First Christian Church, Kendallville and the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alzinfo.org.
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