Martha F. "Martee" Mentzer

Martha “Martee” Florence Sheaffer Mentzer, 93, of Carlisle passed away November 23, 2017 at Brookdale Grandon Farms. Born October 17, 1924 in Huntsdale, PA, Martee was the daughter of Willis and Lola (Brindle) Sheaffer.
She and her brother, Merle and sister, Mildred grew up on the Huntsdale farm that had been in the family since 1836. During those years, she belonged to the 4H and enjoyed showing cattle at many county fairs.
Martee attended Centerville Elementary School, Centerville Junior High, and Carlisle High School, where she took many commercial courses, and graduated from Carlisle High School in1943.
Martee began her secretarial career in 1943 at the Olmstead Air Force Base in Middletown. Later, she was transferred to the Carlisle Barracks, where she began a long career as a secretary. While at the Barracks, she served as secretary at the School for Government of Occupied Areas, Medical Field Service School, USAG Quartermaster, and Post Engineer Supply division and Directorate of Facilities Engineering. During her career she was promoted six times and worked under nine different colonels. She received numerous awards for her outstanding work throughout her career, but she was most proud of being named Civil Servant of the Year for 1968. This achievement was significant because she was the first woman to win this award. She received a letter from the General of the United States Army and two plaques, one of which is still at Carlisle Barracks.
When Martee retired in 1980, she received the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service, the highest award presented to a civilian, and she was the first female at Carlisle Barracks to receive it. General Dewitt Smith presented her with this award for “outstanding professionalism, exceptional concern, foresight and devotion to duty, reflecting distinct credit upon herself, the US Army Garrison, Carlisle Barracks, and the United States Army.”
Martee was active in the Society of Farm Women of Pennsylvania throughout her life and was a member of Group 15 of Cumberland County. She was elected president of her group for the first time in 1956 and was elected county president in 1959, the same year in which she helped to organize a Farm Women’s Society in Adams County. In 1964 she was elected to a three-year term as state president at the annual state convention. This convention marked the 50th anniversary of the Society of Farm Women. Of all of her accomplishments as state president, Martee was most proud to have organized the first annual Spring Rally in 1965, an event that continues to this day.
After she retired, Martee joined AARP in 1980 and become a charter member of chapter 3378 in Carlisle. She served this organization in many roles, from chapter president to state director.
In addition to participating in various groups, Martee enjoyed golfing and needlecrafts. The hobby giving her the most pleasure, however, was her collection of chicken figurines and any other items that were related to chickens. Over the years, her collection grew into the thousands, and she became a sought-after speaker at area social functions for churches and clubs where she would show part of her collection and share one of her “chicken talks” peppered with her well-known chicken jokes.
Martee was active in her church, having been baptized and confirmed at Centerville Lutheran Church and later, as an adult, joining Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Newville.
Martee was married to Elmo Lee Mentzer on September 7, 1947 at Centerville Lutheran Church by the Rev. Russell B. McGiffin. Elmo, a principal for many years in the Carlisle Area School District, passed away in 2003.
Martee is survived by: one son, Ronald Lee Mentzer (spouse Marsha); two grandchildren, Rev. Rebecca Mentzer (spouse Paul Koster) of Lancaster, NY and Jonathan Mentzer (significant other Tanisha Bolig) of Camp Hill; one great-grandson, Silas Kloster of Lancaster, NY; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, husband Elmo, and siblings Merle and Mildred.
A funeral service celebrating Martee’s life will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, 51 W. Main St., Newville, PA on Friday, December 1, 2017. A time of visitation and refreshments will be held in the social hall from 2:00-3:00 p.m., with the funeral service beginning at 3:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. Interment will be at the convenience at the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Society of Farm Women of Pennsylvania Scholarship Fund @ Mary Wert, 41 Lebo Rd., Carlisle, PA 17015. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hoffman Funeral Home & Crematory, 2020 W. Trindle Road, Carlisle, PA.
To sign the guestbook, please visit www.HoffmanFH.com