Martha Lucille Mead

On July 11, 2023, Martha L. Mead passed into Heaven after enjoying 90 years of life!

Martha was born, raised, and married in the same farmhouse on South Broadway in Hastings, MI.  Her parents, Glen and Mabel Ingram, owned and operated the Ingram Jersey Dairy.  The family also owned and operated Clear Lake Dance Hall in the forties.

Martha is survived by her three children, Tina Bradford (Steve) of Salisbury, MD; Gordon Mead (Teri) of Austin, TX; and Brenda Guerkink (Brett) of Middleville, MI; her grandchildren Christine Franklin (Brent), Emily Labbé (Will), Jeff Bradford (Rebecca), Jacob Mead, and Carolyn Bergersen (Brian); great grandchildren Cadence & Jay Franklin; Evan and Aaron Labbé; Landon, Zachary and Tyler Bradford, and Bennett, Mackenzie and Kennedy Bergersen.  She was preceded in death by her husband Raymond Arthur Mead in October 2012, her parents Glen and Mabel Ingram, and her sisters Doris Greenfield and Dorothy Williams.  Martha also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, and friends.

Martha was born on February 21, 1933, in Hastings, MI. She graduated from Hastings High School in 1951. Martha married Ray, the love of her life, on November 23, 1951.

Martha prioritized her roles as a gracious homemaker, loving wife, and doting mother.  In addition to providing a wonderful home for Ray, Tina, Gordie, and Brenda, the kitchen door was always open for friends and family to gather and be loved. Outside the home, she excelled in a variety of roles at the Hastings Manufacturing Company, Hastings Mutual Insurance, and the Chamber of Commerce.  In the late seventies and early eighties, Ray and Martha owned The Cone Zone where they enjoyed serving ice cream, milkshakes, laughter and connection. Later in their marriage, Martha and Ray enjoyed wintering in Fort Pierce and Vero Beach, FL. She and Ray hosted parties and picnics for many neighbors and friends throughout their 60 years of marriage! Their lives showed great love and devotion to each other, to their family and to their communities.

In 2015, Martha moved to Salisbury, MD where she lived until June 2023 surrounded by family, including 5 of her great-grandchildren.  These years were filled with joy and lasting memories. Martha recently returned to Barry County and enjoyed her time visiting with friends and family who welcomed her back to Hastings.

We thank God for His good care of Martha through Harvest Pointe Assisted Living facility, Spectrum Health and Hospice in her final days. By faith in Jesus Christ, we believe Martha and Ray are now reunited with great joy in God's presence and with all those who have trusted in Jesus.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held at Girrbach Funeral Home (328 S. Broadway, Hastings, MI) on Monday, July 17 at 11am, visitation from 10am to 11am. Martha and Ray will be interred together at Hastings Township cemetery.

An additional memorial service will be held at a date to be determined in Salisbury, MD. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. Visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net to leave a condolence. The funeral service will be live streamed on Facebook and the broadcast will start a few minutes before the service at https://www.facebook.com/GirrbachFuneralHome.