Martha Thurston

Martha (Striffler) Thurston of Caro, age 95, passed away on Friday, October 17, 2014 at St. Mary's of Michigan in Saginaw. Martha was born on October 14, 1919 in Scotland, the daughter of the late Thomas and Jeanne (Brown) Kane. Martha was united in marriage with Delvin Striffler, and he preceded her in death. She then married Reid Thurston, and he preceded her in death. Martha was employed as the head librarian at the Caro Area District Library for many years. She was a member of the Caro United Methodist Church, served on the board of the Neal Sisters Foundation, and also at the Thumb Area Assault Crisis Center. Martha enjoyed reading, crocheting, gardening, and mailing cards to family and friends. She loved spending summers at her cottage at Broken Rocks. Martha is survived by her children, Sharon & Patrick Oriel of Glen Arbor, Tom & Carol Striffler of Caro; Reid's daughters, Joann Tomlinson of Caro and Marie Sproule of Arizona; grandchildren, Thomas & Alicia Ackerson, Christian Striffler, Bethany & Matt Kirk, John Tomlinson, Barb Ozbat, Carla Knowlton, Chuck Tomlinson, Pam Hopkins, Greg Sproule, Kathy Oriel, Laurie Oriel; and many great- and great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husbands, Martha was preceded in death by three sisters, Margaret Chase, Jean Kerry and Elizabeth Shantz; one brother, Thomas Kane; Reid's daughter, Donna Thurston; one grandchild, John Oriel. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 20, 2014 at the Caro United Methodist Church with Rev. Gregg Mayberry officiating. Burial will follow at Indianfields Township Cemetery. Friends may call at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Monday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to Gideons International or the Caro Area District Library. Visitation Information Date: Sunday, October 19, 2014 Time: 2:00 pm End Time: 7:00 pm Ransford Collon Funeral Home Address: 989-673-2175 | Map Friends may call at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Monday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m. Service Information Date: Monday, October 20, 2014 Time: 1:00 pm Caro United Methodist Church Address: 989-673-2246 | Map Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 20, 2014 at the Caro United Methodist Church with Rev. Gregg Mayberry officiating.