August 6, 1945 – December 15, 2022
Martha Mae Rockey, 77, Sheridan, passed away on Thursday afternoon, December 15, 2022, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. Born August 6, 1945, at Witham Hospital in Lebanon, Ind., she was the daughter of the late Owen and Pauline (Beaty) Richardson.
After graduating from Sheridan High School with the Class of 1963, Martha continued with her studies at Ball State Teachers College, earning her bachelor’s degree in elementary education, with a minor in special education, in 1967, and her master’s degree in education in 1970.
She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma (International Society for Women Educators), the Hamilton County Retired Teachers Association, and the Sheridan chapter of Phi Beta Psi Sorority for Cancer Research.
Martha helped educate and mold multiple generations of young minds during her 34 1/3 years as a public school teacher. Her career began in the Carmel School System and made a few stops at Eatontown (New Jersey), Zionsville and Westfield, before she found her way to the Marion-Adams School Corporation (now Sheridan Community Schools), and into her second-grade classroom at Adams Elementary where she taught for 31 years. To call her an amazing teacher would be an understatement. Martha loved reading and tried to inspire that same love in her students, as well as their parents. She knew how important it was to get parents to become active participants in their child’s reading at a young age.
Martha was a member of Sheridan First United Methodist Church and, after retiring from teaching, devoted more time to her church activities. While her strong faith guided her life and her servant’s heart called her to action, it was her gentle caring soul that made her who she was. She loved talking to people, and checking in on those who were homebound was the perfect opportunity to both visit and provide some much needed “medicine” to her friends and neighbors. Martha was also a part of the church’s Learn and Play preschool program. Returning to teaching after retirement was like coming home. The kids and their parents were blessed to have her in their lives. Martha also helped with the Lunch Club program at the church, and in true fashion, found a way to incorporate reading into that as well. She began distributing books to the children who came to lunch, and it soon became nearly as popular as dessert. While on the topic of food, Martha’s strawberry jam was a hit with her family, friends, and neighbors.
Martha enjoyed taking trips to Lake Shafer with her family, spending time with her grandchildren, playing euchre, and following Sheridan Blackhawk football. She loved watching her former students play and got caught up in the history and the hype of Blackhawk football.
The Sheridan community has lost a very special person. Martha left her mark on the lives of everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. Hearing her cheerful “Greetings!” meant your day was about to improve.
Martha is survived by her husband of 55 years, John Franklin Rockey. She and John were married at Sheridan First United Methodist Church on August 27, 1967. She is also survived by her son, Brian M. Rockey (Marni) of Fishers; daughter, Janice M. Perry (Bill) of Aurora, Ill.; nine grandchildren, Tyler, Maddy, Katie, Ava, Gabe, Jake, Will, Tanner, and Megan Mae; sister, Nancy Robb (Keith) of Bradenton, Florida; and brother-in-law, Robert K. Sanders.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Owen and Pauline (Beaty) Richardson, and by her sister, Donna Sanders.
Services will take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 22, 2022, at Sheridan First United Methodist Church, 207 E. 2nd St., Sheridan. Burial will follow at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan. Pastor John Meunier will be officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at Sheridan First United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be presented to the Sheridan First United Methodist Church Learn and Play Preschool Fund, or to the Phi Beta Psi Sorority for Cancer Research. (Church online link: app.easytithe.com/App/Giving/Sher9999629)
Arrangements have been entrusted to Kercheval Funeral Home in Sheridan.
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com