Martha Fletcher Kimball

Our dear mother and friend, Martha 'Marty' Fletcher Kimball passed away Friday, January 25, 2008 in Port Huron Hospital after a short illness. She was born March 30, 1917 in East Moline, Illinois to Livinus and Elodie VanLoo, who both immigrated from Ghent, Belgium. She married James A. Fletcher on June 28, 1947. They were blessed with five children and 25 years of loving marriage together until James passed away on October 12, 1972. In May of 1977 she married Milo W. Kimball. They enjoyed traveling and the company of their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren for 22 years until his death May 27, 1999. Martha, along with her husband James Fletcher, owned and operated many restaurants throughout their lives. They built and operated Marty?s Grill (Bush?s Restaurant) in Lexington, MI. Then after moving to Port Huron in 1962, they managed the Elks Temple and also opened Fletcher?s Beef Buffet where Citizens First Bank on Water Street in now located. Martha was instrumental in the planning and opening of the food service program at the ISD Technical Center in Marysville. She was also a 'Rosie the Riveter' during WWII. Martha had the insight and determination to be a successful business owner and operator. She was a dear friend to many and always was willing to help anyone in any way that she could. Her family meant everything to her and she gave them her unconditional love, always. We will miss her wonderful dinners at our family gatherings. She truly touched all those who knew her. She will be sadly missed by her children, James and Lori Fletcher, Jr. of Texas, Gary and Mary Lynne Fletcher, Harold and Carol Fletcher, Karen and James Kearney, all of Port Huron; step-children, Denise Dursum of Manistee, Elizabeth Spiker of Mesa, AZ and Julie LaBeau of Port Huron; 18 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brother Ferdinand; sisters, Evelyn and Janet; daughter, Linda Kay Fletcher; step-grandson, Dereck Spicer and a special granddaughter, Amy Michelle Fletcher. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at St. Edwards-on-the Lake Church in Lakeport. The Rev. Joseph M. Esper will officiate. Burial will be in Lexington Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jason Fletcher, Harold Fletcher, Jr., Christopher Fletcher, James Kearney, Jr., Michael LaBeau and Michael Sheldon. Visiting hours are 2 to 4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday at Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the A.R.C. of St. Clair County or St. Edwards-on-the-Lake Catholic Church.