Martha Janet Stickler

Martha Janet Stickler, age 94, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away early on Wednesday, January 28, 2015. She had been residing at River Garden Wolfson Health & Aging Center, following a mild stroke in September of 2014. Martha had been visited on Tuesday by her three children, and her caregiver of six years, Nadine Whyte, and died peacefully in her sleep overnight. She was predeceased by her father and mother, Jacob and Martha Stern; two older sisters, Dorothy and Vera; and her husband of 52 years, Robert W. Stickler, Sr.

Born Martha Janet Stern in Brooklyn, New York on September 19, 1920; she met and married her husband, Bob Stickler, in September 1941, just prior to Bob’s entering service in the U.S. Navy. Following his service, Martha and Bob began their family and his career took them from Brooklyn to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1950-1972), Miami, Florida (1972-74), and finally to Jacksonville in 1974, where they remained, residing in the Deerwood Country Club community until Bob’s death in 1993. Since that time, Martha had resided in the Lake Crest Condominium community. Together over the years, Martha and Bob served their successive communities and sponsored their children’s development and activities, including founding the North Whitehall Athletic Association (Little League Baseball) in Pittsburgh in 1951, along with various Scouting and social organizations along the way. In the process, they enabled all three children to graduate from college and begin successful careers. Together, they loved entertaining friends and family, who will remember Martha as a welcoming, thoughtful and gregarious hostess. Through the years, Martha was active with various hobbies and activities, including bridge clubs, bowling and Methodist Church-related organizations. She loved to tell stories, often at her own expense, and with great humility and humor.

She is survived and will be lovingly remembered by her sons, Donald (LeeDell) of Nashville, Bob Jr. of Jacksonville; and daughter, Gretchen Molz (Kenneth) of Kettering, Ohio; grandchildren, Scott, Michelle, Kenny and Kyle; and great-grandchildren, Hala and Marian, both of Winter Haven, Florida; as well as several nieces, nephews, and Godchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 15, 2015 at three o'clock in the afternoon at Hardage-Giddens, The Oaklawn Chapel, 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, Florida.

Donations in Martha’s Memory may be made to River Garden Hebrew Home/ Wolfson Health and Aging Center in Jacksonville.

HARDAGE-GIDDENS, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Blvd is serving the family.