Mrs.
Martha C. “Marty” Branch, 74, of Galesburg, Illinois, died
peacefully at 12:50 p.m. Friday, September 25, 2015 at Unity Point
Methodist Hospital in Peoria, Illinois
She was
born October 8, 1940 in Galesburg to Floyd and Violet Johnson
Gustafson. She married James Roche in 1960. She later married Gary
“Turp” Branch August 25, 1972 in Galesburg. He preceded her in
death November 18, 2000.
Surviving
is a son, Jeff (and Jennifer) Roche of Morton, Illinois; a daughter,
Chris (and Jim) McNally of Burr Ridge, Illinois; two step sons, Jeff
(and Jamie) Petersen of West Point, Iowa and Brad (and Jackie)
Petersen of McCormick, South Carolina; two sisters, Ruth Atwood of
South Beloit, Illinois and Mary (and Ron) Spring of Galesburg; two
step sisters, Myrna (and Merritt) Johnson of Wataga, Illinois and
Maureen (and Larry) Braden of Mapleton, Illinois; eight
grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; a great-great grandchild;
and her special friend, Raymond Pheiffer of Galesburg. She was
preceded in death by her parents; her daughter-in-law, Kim Peterson;
her step mother, Maxine Essex Gustafson; a step brother, Sonny Essex;
and a brother-in-law, Don Atwood.
Marty
worked in production control for Butler Manufacturing Company in
Galesburg for 42 years and retired December 1, 2002. She attended a
one room schoolhouse in Appleton, Illinois through 6th
grade. She later graduated from Knoxville High School in 1958. She
also attended Brown’s Business College in Galesburg. She enjoyed
the outdoors, doing yard work, and golfing.
Cremation
will be accorded. A celebration of her life will be 2 p.m. Thursday,
October 8, 2015 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel. Rev.
Doug Johnson will officiate. Visitation will be 1 to 2 p.m.
Thursday, October 8, 2015 at the chapel. Memorials may be made to
the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made
at www.h-p-w.com.