Barbara June Martin

Barbara June Martin, 75, of Corvallis, Montana, passed away June 1st, 2013 at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula, Montana. Barbara was surrounded by the love of her friends and family during her last days. She was born on February 4th, 1938 in Akron, Ohio, to Cleora and Levi Thomas. She was proud to be a coal miner's daughter. She was the 9th of 10 children and was raised in a home full of happiness, love, and fun.

Barbara completed high school graduating from North Union High School in Uniontown, Pennsylvania in 1956. During her high school days she discovered the love of her life, Fred Martin. Barbara married Fred in 1957 in Bute, Pennsylvania. They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary November 30, 2012. Barbara held many jobs in Western Pennsylvania prior to "moving west" with Fred in 1960. While Barbara and Fred lived in Germany where Fred was stationed in the Army, Barbara became pregnant with their first child Donna. Soon to follow were Debbie, Dan, and Doug. Living in Compton, Buena Park, and LaPalma, California, Barbara started to raise her four kids teaching them values of faith, love, hard work, and joy. Barbara had many friends and enjoyed them all, especially her lifelong friend Janice Isaac.

In 1979, Barbara moved with her family to Modesto, California where she lived until 2005 when she and Fred moved to Corvallis, Montana. During her years in Modesto she worked in medical records at Modesto City Hospital and Doctors Hospital of Manteca. During this time she watched her children graduate high school, go to college, and get married. She also received the joy of her life during this time with the gift of eight grandchildren. Barbara lived to bring joy to all of her family and had a special place in her heart for her grandchildren.

She lived a life grounded in a deep faith in Jesus Christ and spent time daily in His word. Barbara enjoyed flowers and gardening, opening her home to friends, family, and total strangers for Thanksgiving. How we all remember the sights and smells of a meal or party that Barb would provide.

Barbara is survived by her husband Fred of Corvallis, daughter Donna Robbins and husband Roy of Corvallis, daughter Debbie Paulson and husband Joseph of Ringgold, Georgia, son Dan Martin and wife Kim of Modesto, California, son Doug and wife Heidi of Corvallis, Montana, Grandchildren Evan and Andrea Paulson, David and Amanda Robbins, Emily and Lindsay Martin, Grant and Hannah Martin, Brothers Darrell Thomas of Akron, Ohio, Ken Thomas of Akron, Ohio, and Butch Thomas, of Modesto, California..

Flowers may be sent to Daly-Leach Chapel at 1010 W. Main St., Hamilton, MT. 59840. The family suggests in lieu of flowers, that a gift in Barbara's name be made to the Wounded Warriors Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.