Martha Hirsch

Martha Hirsch, 85, of Glendora, California, went to be with her Lord & Savior on Wednesday, December 29, 2004. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:30 A.M. Saturday, January 8, 2005 at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Friends may call from 5-7 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma. Memorials may be made to the First Assembly of God, St. Joseph. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Martha was born May 1, 1919 in the Friedland area of Germany to Bertha & Gottfried Marquardt. She and her family immigrated to Benton Harbor in 1923. On November 26, 1938, she married Erven Hirsch in Benton Harbor. Martha was a homemaker, secretary, hairstylist, and school clerk. Living in Covina, California for ten years from 1971 to 1981, Martha worked for the Bonita Unified School District. Upon retirement in California, Erven and Martha returned to Michigan and resided in Benton Harbor until 2001. Martha was actively involved in her churches both in California and Michigan for 70 years. She sang in the choir, participated in Women?s Ministries and was on the Missions Board of First Assembly of God in St. Joseph, Michigan. She was a fabulous cook, loved to entertain her friends and family, knitted and mastered everything she tried. She had a true servant?s heart. Martha is survived by two sons-Jerry (Janice) Hirsch of Glendora, CA; and Philip Hirsch of Las Vegas, NV; four grandchildren-Jennifer (Rob) Wolfe, Joanie (Mike) Vazquez, Alan (Kim) Morton, Cheryl Moran; five great-grandchildren-Kylie, Jacob, Isabella, Parker, Connor; two sisters-Elma Maxwell of Palm Coast, FL, Ruth (Erick) Fischer of Benton Harbor; and a brother William (Esther) Marquardt of St. Joseph. Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Erven on November 14, 2001; an infant daughter Judy in 1944; and two brothers-Albert & Leonard Marquardt.