Martha Kem

SIKESTON - Martha Jane Kem, 79, died at 8:20 p.m. Dec. 4, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center.

Born July 12, 1922, in Lilbourn, daughter of the late John and Inez Brown Hessling, she retired as a bookkeeper for National Lock and was a member of Calvary Temple in Sikeston.

In March 1939, in Sikeston, she married Arthur Murel Kem who preceded her in death on June 24, 1988.

Survivors include: three sons, John Arthur Kem and Page Blanton of Port Angeles, Wash., and Don Blanton of Dallas, Texas; two daughters, Judith Ann Kelly of Mobile, Ala., and Michelle Kem-Baker of Sikeston; one brother, Basil Hessling of Detroit, Mich.; and six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by one daughter, Jane Kem-Blanton in 1969; one brother, Don Hessling; and one sister, Ethel Janes.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Blanchard Funeral Chapel.

Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Gospel Church with the Rev. Larry Davis, pastor, officiating.

Burial will follow in Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston.

Pallbearers will be: Roger Baker, Albert Jackson, Charles Atchison, Gerald Walton, Howard Jackson and Marty McReynolds.