Martha Ellen (Cline) Birkhead

Martha Ellen Birkhead, 63, formerly of Mt. Vernon, Indiana, passed away February 5, 2018, at Tel Hai Retirement Community in Honey Brook, Pennsylvania. Martha grew up on a farm in Southern Michigan. She loved horses and won several ribbons in 4-H. She Graduated from University of Michigan with bachelors in Nursing, Catholic University in Washington, DC with Masters in Psychiatric Nursing 1981. She was a Psychiatric Nurse for the Department of Veteran Affairs for 19 years. She joined the US Army Reserve in 1984----Honorable Discharge in 1993 - Rank of Captain. Proudest family moments, Graduate School Graduation Induction as an officer in the US Army Reserve as an Army Nurse. Martha's proudest moment. National Institute of Mental Health Traineeship for Graduate School. Scholarly Review Committee Member of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. She was preceded in death by her husband of 16 years, Lewis E. Birkhead, older brother, Philip B. Cline and parents, Vernon and Barbara (Boyer) Cline. Martha is survived by her brother, Lawrence A. Cline (Edna); sister-in-law, Mary Cline; two nieces and two nephews. Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM Saturday, April 21, 2018, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 602 Mulberry Street, Mt. Vernon, IN, officiated by Rev. Allen Rutherford, with burial in Alexander Memorial Park. Friends may visit Saturday from 9:00 AM until service time at the church. Contributions may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church. Condolences may be offered online at www.AlexanderWestChapel.com.