Martha Idle

Martha Jane Idle, 87, of Decatur, IL, passed away at 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at Imboden Creek Living Center. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at Christ United Methodist Church, with visitation from Noon until 2:00 p.m. at the church. Inurnment will be at a later date in Washington Park Cemetery North, Indianapolis, IN. Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes, Decatur, are assisting the family with the arrangements. Memorials may be made to: Christ United Methodist Church, 1503 N. Summit Avenue, Decatur, IL 62526. Martha was born in Indianapolis, IN, on May 30, 1926 to Vernon C. and Nondas Lorene (Duncan) Fairburn. She married Robert Dale Idle on October 14, 1950, in Indianapolis, IN. Martha attended Manchester College in Indiana as a music major. After college she worked as a secretary at Farm Bureau Insurance in Indianapolis, where she met her husband, Bob. They first resided in Speedway, IN before moving to New Castle, IN. Martha was a member of Christ United Methodist Church, where she was active in the church choir, and a member of many church boards, and willing to serve in any capacity as needed. Martha sold World Books for many years and then finished her Early Childhood degree at Richland. Thereafter, working as a pre-school teacher at Little Peoples Prep School for many years and director at First Baptist Church Pre-school, retiring in 1996. Surviving are her sons: Barton Dale Idle and wife Stephanie of Decatur, IL, and Brian Dean Idle and wife Julie of North Palm Beach, FL; daughter: Jane Ann DiLeonardi-Van De Veer and husband Bob of Peoria, IL; grandchildren: Clayton Idle and wife Lindsay, Nick Idle and wife Bekah, Sean DiLeonardi and wife Lizzy, Blake Idle, Matt DiLeonardi and wife Laura, Monica Idle Wilson and husband Keith, Lindsey Idle Miller and husband Will, and Jillian Idle; 8 great-grandchildren; sister: Nancy Clifford of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; and brother: Wayne Fairburn and wife Melinda of Fishers, IN. Martha was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother Darrell. The family would like to give a special thanks to the entire staff of Eagle Ridge and Imboden Creek Nursing Home where she resided the past 6 years, for your caring compassion and concern. In addition, thank you to her special friends at Christ United Methodist Church who stayed in touch over the years and 2 of her special friends at Eagle Ridge, Ernie Henkel and Pat Brown, who also participated together with Mom in her Wii Bowling League and one State Tournament. "
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