Jo Ann Martin

Obituary for Jo Ann (Morris) Martin

Mrs. Jo Ann Martin, born October 20, 1934, in Boone, Iowa passed away quietly into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the age of 90 on Thursday, October 31, 2024 while in hospice care during a family visit to Pennsylvania. Jo Ann was the daughter of the late George S. and Thelma H. (Morgan) Morris also of Boone, Iowa. Jo attended the Boone city schools and was an All-State Basketball player in high school. She attended Boone Junior College where she earned a teaching certificate. She began her adult life as an elementary school teacher in Mapleton, Iowa and later in Boone. Her life was filled with teaching opportunities which she always enjoyed.

Jo was married to Reverend Eugene R. Martin, also of Boone, for 56 years before he preceded her to heaven in May 2015. During their life together they shared their ministry in several churches within the Primitive Methodist Church of America’s denomination. They served at the New Diggings and Platteville PM Churches, WI. 1959-1962, and the Parsons PM Church in Wilkes Barre, PA. 1962-1980. From 1980 to 1987 they served as directors of the Pocono Mountain Bible Conference, a youth camp in Gouldsboro, PA. They also served the Old Forge & Taylor, PA PM church circuit 1987-1994, and finally at the Core Creek Church in Newtown, PA from 1994 until retiring in 2000. Jo was active in all phases of their church work but was very focused on youth ministry and music. Many times, combining the two areas and creating musical groups in the churches and leading the choir, running youth programs, and teaching Sunday School classes to many younger age groups. Her love of Jesus inspired her to share the word of God with young people and those not so young wherever her and Rev. Martin were stationed and literally anyone she met. She most recently was attending the First Baptist Church of Boone where she remained active up until her recent trip east and illness.

Jo Ann is survived by her brothers Paul A. Morris of Little Rock, AK, Gale L. Morris (Judy) of Dayton, OH, and sister Helen E. Farr of Des Moines, IA, Sisters-I n-law Mrs. Virginia Smith (Keith) of Omaha, NE and Ms. Linda Melvin of Camanche, IA. She also leaves a great legacy in her four children. Mrs. Lauri A. Bouk of Boone, Iowa. LTC (Ret.) Mark E. Martin (Kathy) of Lehighton, PA. Mrs. Sheri L. Zindle of Gouldsboro, PA and Mr. Timothy J. Martin (Aubrey) of Harveys Lake, PA. 18 Grandchildren and 18 Great-Grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and innumerable friends.

In addition to her parents and her loving husband, Jo Ann was preceded in death by her beloved sons-in-law Kevin Bouk and Edward Zindle Sr. as well as sisters Lora Mae Ward, Lois Steigerwalt, and Marilyn Moravetz, and brothers George Walter, John, Warren, Phillip, David, and several brothers and sister-in-law.

A viewing for Jo Ann will be held on 5 November, 5pm to 8pm at the Metcalf Shaver Kopcza Funeral Home, 504 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, PA. An additional visitation will be conducted 9-11am on 6 November with a memorial service immediately following at 11am at the Cherry St Bible Church, 55 Cherry St. Plymouth, PA. An additional memorial service and internment with be conducted in Boone, Iowa in the coming days. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her name to the Pocono Mountain Bible Conference at www.camppmbc.com