Martha Diana Fawcett Mayberry, 99, formerly of Columbia City, died at 3:15 a.m. Sunday, February 8, 2009 at Miller’s Merry Manor in Warsaw where she had been a resident since 2002.
She was born July 12, 1909, in Big Spring Township, Seneca County, Ohio a daughter of Jacob N. and Laura A. (Thomas) McKee. As a young girl her family moved to Indiana, residing in the North Manchester and Huntington areas. She graduated from Central High School and attended Manchester College.
On March 31, 1929, she was united in marriage to Maxwell H. Fawcett. They made their home in North Manchester until 1937 when they moved to Columbia City. In 1941, they moved to Washington Township, Whitley County, until 1947 when they moved to South Whitley. Mr. Fawcett died June 1, 1975.
She was co-owner/operator of Fawcett Furniture from the mid 1940s until 1975.
On February 11, 1977, she was united in marriage to Marion Mayberry. They always made their home in Columbia City. Mr. Mayberry died in 1985.
Her memberships included First Baptist Church in Columbia City.
Surviving relatives include a son, James M. Fawcett of Coldwater, Michigan; a daughter, Diana (Dick) Wright of Warsaw; six grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; four great great granddaughters; a step son, Donald (Jean) Mayberry of Dearborn, Michigan; and two step granddaughters.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Marilyn Jean Purvis; two brothers, Frances McKee and Emory McKee; and six sisters, Cuba Bollinger, Aura Neff, Alpha Gottschall, Mina Snavely, Troas Alleger and Evelyn Neher.
The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with Rev. J. Phillip Blake officiating. The burial will be in South Whitley Cemetery. The visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.