Martha S. Sides, 94, medical sec., volunteer

Martha S. "Marty" Sides, 94, of Ephrata, passed away Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013, at Ephrata Manor.

She was born in York County to the late Paul and Effie (Eichelberger) Stoner and was the wife of the late Richard S. Sides, who passed away in 1984. The couple had shared 44 years of marriage.

Martha was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Ephrata, since 1958, where she was a former Sunday school teacher. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels, the Easter Seals, the Ephrata Public Library and the Ephrata Hospital Information Desk. She was a medical secretary for over 17 years for Drs. Ridgway, Grosh and Kowaleski, retiring in 1974.

Martha is survived by a son: Thomas E., husband of Leslie (Birdsall) Sides of Easton Md.; a daughter: Linda, wife of John W. Conaway of Akron; six grandchildren: Jennifer, wife of Michael Clark of Narbeth, Pa.; Christopher, husband of Sylvia Sides of Boyds, Md.; Greg, husband of Teresa Conaway of Lancaster; Jocelyn, wife of Daniel Blatzheim of Gambrills, Md.; Anne, wife of Hans Brubaker of Ephrata; Scott, husband of Kelley Sides of Clayton, N.C.; 10 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by two brothers: Ralph and Charles Stoner.

A memorial service will be held Sept. 21 at 1:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 68 N. Church St., Ephrata, with Pastor Walter Carter officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Martha’s memory may be made to the Ephrata Public Library, 550 S. Reading Road, Ephrata, PA 17522 or the Defenders of Wildlife, 1130 17th St. NW, Washington, DC 20036-4604.

Arrangements by Stradling Funeral Homes, Inc., Akron/Ephrata.