Martha Rooney

(From Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home)

Martha L. Rooney, 81, of Webb City, Missouri, and formerly of Columbus, Kansas, passed away at 9:32 p.m., Sunday, December 18, 2022, at Webb City Health and Rehab.

Martha Lou Tomey was born on September 24, 1941, to Merle Wayne and Grace Marie (Davis) Tomey in rural Bartlett, Kansas. As a young girl, Martha grew up on a farm three miles north of Bartlett and attended Bartlett Grade School. She enjoyed being a part of the Rainbow Girls, a Masonic organization for girls. While a student at Labette County Community High School, she played the clarinet.

 

After graduating from high school in 1958, she attended Pittsburg State University for a time. For 29 years, Martha worked at the Cherokee County Courthouse, where she was a court clerk.

Martha had been a member of the Assembly of God Church in Chetopa. She was also a member of the Beta Tau sorority and the Lady Elks for which she served as an officer.

Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family. She loved to dance and was known to dance to every song that was played. A talented cook and baker, Martha’s specialties included fudge and peanut brittle. Martha also enjoyed nature and was an avid bird watcher.

On June 14, 1958, Martha and Charles W. Rooney were united in marriage. He survives of the home.

Other survivors include:

One son – Mark W. Rooney and his wife, Shawnee, of Grove, Oklahoma

One daughter – Krista Crowder and her husband, John, of Carl Junction, Missouri

Eleven grandchildren -Travis Rooney, Nick Rooney, Seth Rooney, Rance Rooney, Kayla Rooney, Corey Rooney, Jennifer Spicer, Kara Ogle, Mariah Heckman, Beau Crowder, and Natalee Crowder

Thirteen great-grandchildren – Tanner, Britni, Olivia, Jaden, Bella, Amelia, Coralie, Cooper, Jaxon, Connor, Nash, Navy, and Memphis

Four sisters – Mildred Blackledge of Chetopa, Kansas

Dorothy Martinez of Salt Lake City, Utah

Irma Albin and her husband, Frank, of Grove, Oklahoma

Marlene McCoy of Commerce, Oklahoma

She was preceded in death by one son, Steven W. Rooney, on July 11, 2011.

The funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 22, 2022, at the Community Bible Church in Chetopa. The family will receive friends following the service. Burial will take place at the Lake Creek Cemetery in Bartlett. Friends may stop by the funeral home in Chetopa from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, to sign the register.

Memorials are suggested to the Community Bible Church. These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 346, Chetopa, KS 67336.