Martha A. Biddle *
BIDDLE, MARTHA, 93, of Indianapolis, formerly of Remington, In, died at 9:27 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at Brookdale Place at Willow Lake in Indianapolis. She had been in declining health several months. She was born July 10, 1918 in Merom in Sullivan County, IN to the late Oscar Roscoe and Edith (Griffith) Mason. She was a 1936 graduate of Shortridge High School and graduated from Butler University cum laude in 1940, going on to teach home economics in Ohio for three years before her marriage to Charles J. Biddle on June 30, 1943 in Remington. He died November 24, 1994. Mrs. Biddle became church organist and choir director of the Presbyterian church of Remington, a volunteer post she served for fifty years. She pursued further study in music at St. Joseph’s college, receiving her B.A. in music in 1967. She was instrumental in moving a local philanthropic sorority, Alpha Zeta, to state affiliation with Tri Kappa, becoming the Zeta Xi Tri Kappa chapter. She subsequently served as its president and served on numerous state committees. She also served a term as province officer of Province Seven. She belongs to the Butler Mortar Board Alumni Chapter and the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. She also served as president of the ladies’ auxiliary of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies and president of its Indiana affiliate. She enjoyed listening to classical music and was a devoted church musician. Preceding her in death with her husband and parents are four brothers, Virgil, Gerald, Carlyle and Dwight Mason and a sister, Garmen Mason Rybolt. Surviving are two daughters, Janie Biddle Whaley (husband, Roger) of Floyds Knobs, IN and Sally Biddle McGuffey (husband, Robert) of Indianapolis; and one brother, Wendell Mason (wife, Doris) of Lafayette. Martha loved spending time with her family especially her step-grandchildren, Jeffrey Whaley (wife, Kathy), Todd Whaley (wife, Keri) and Anne Whaley Powell (husband, Tim) and her four step-great-grandchildren, Taylor, Conner, Casey and Grace Powell. A private graveside funeral will be held Saturday, July 23, 2011 in the Remington Cemetery. A memorial service to celebrate Martha’s life will be 3 p.m. Sunday, July 24, 2011 at Second Presbyterian Church (7700 North Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46260) with a time of visitation prior from 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.; Rev. Joyce Hunn to officiate. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in her name to the Riley Children’s Foundation, the Floyd Central Memorial Scholarship Fund or the Music and Fine Arts Department of Second Presbyterian Church.
COURIER-JOURNAL OBITUARY, LOUISVILLE, KY 07/23/2011