Carol J. Martin, 82, transitioned from this life to her eternal home at 5:05 am on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Lutheran Life Villages at Pine Valley in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. While her hands are now at rest, the warmth of the life she stitched together remains as a comfort to all who knew her.

Born  in Lisbon, Ohio, on August 9, 1943, Carol learned early on that the best things in life are often handmade. She was a woman who saw the world through a lens of color and texture. To Carol, a blank canvas, a pile of fabric, or a box of puzzle pieces wasn't just a project - it was an opportunity to create something beautiful for the people she loved.

Her home was a gallery of her devotion. Whether it was the intricate precision of a counted cross-stitch picture, the cozy weight of a handmade quilt, or the sparkling detail of a diamond dots masterpiece, Carol's creativity was everywhere. She found peace in the steady rhythm of a needle and thread and joy in the transformation of ceramics and toll painting. Even her quiet moments were spent piecing things together; she loved the challenge of a puzzle, many of which were framed and displayed as a testament to her patience and eye for detail.

Carol was a lifelong homemaker in the truest sense of the word. Alongside her husband, the late Howard E. Martin Sr., she built a life centered on family and faith. She was a "great cook" who understood that a warm meal was the heart of a home, and her yard was often a vibrant tapestry of flowers that she tended to with the same care she gave her children.

Though she spent most of her years in the Hanoverton and Lisbon areas, her later years were spent in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, where she was tucked in close to her three daughters. She leaves behind a legacy as large and colorful as one of her quilts, spanning five generations of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Carol's memory will be cherished by her six children: Shawna (Timothy) Cureton, Tonya (Chris) Emenhiser, Tara (Daniel) Brubaker, Howard (Karina) Martin Jr., Scott (Shelly) Martin Sr., and Bryan (Tina) Martin Sr. She is also survived by her brother, Dennis (Joann) Bogdan, and a thriving legacy of 15 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.  She is now reunited with her husband, Howard; her parents, John and Jean; and her sister, Darlene.

We invite you to join us in celebrating a life well-lived—one that was "sewn together" with kindness and grace.

A time of visitation will be on Friday, January 30, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and Saturday, January 31, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the Arbaugh-Pearce-Greenisen & Sons Funeral and Cremation Services in Salem. Services will be on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 11:00 am at Arbaugh-Pearce-Greenisen & Sons Funeral and Cremation Services, Salem, with the Rev. John Bush of Greenford Christian Church officiating. Her final resting place: Grove Hill Cemetery, Hanoverton, Ohio.

Carol's life reminds us that with a little patience, a lot of love, and a steady hand, you can create something beautiful.