Martha “Marty” (Bendele) Gerdeman

OTTOVILLE - It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Marty (Martha Bendele) Gerdeman, age 95, who was welcomed into God's kingdom on April 25, 2026. Marty passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family.

Marty was born on November 16, 1930, to Martin and Lucy (Rekart) Bendele, who preceded her in death. On October 20, 1956, she married Eugene Gerdeman, who also preceded her in death.

Together they had four children. Surviving are three sons: Todd Gerdeman of Fort Jennings; Jed (Joann) Gerdeman of Ottoville; and Scott Gerdeman (special friend, Kathy Kline) of Fort Jennings. Their beloved daughter, Chris, preceded her in death in 2005.

Also, preceding Marty in death were her brothers: Richard, Carl, Jerry, and infant brothers, John and Paul; and her sisters, Salome, Marie, and Catherine.

She is survived by her grandchildren: Ashley Gerdeman of Lima; Amber Gerdeman of Kenton; and Blake (Morgan) Gerdeman of Ottoville. She is also survived by her step-grandchildren, Stacey Caverzan and Mark Miller, and step-great-grandchildren, Bryce, Kendall, and Gabrielle. Her great-grandchildren include Levi, Clay, and Drew Gerdeman. She is further survived by her sisters-in-law, Joan (Robert) Ricker and Dorothy (Elton) Lamy, along with many nieces and nephews. Marty was a lifelong resident of Ottoville and a 1948 graduate of Ottoville High School. After graduation, she made it her mission to build her own home, where she lived for the rest of her life. She was an avid Ford enthusiast and owned several vehicles over the years, including a cherished red Thunderbird convertible. On summer Sundays, she could often be seen driving her beloved T-Bird to church.

A devoted Catholic, Marty sang in the Immaculate Conception choir for over 40 years. She also dedicated time to decorating the church for holidays, adding her special touch to floral arrangements.

Marty was well known in the Ottoville community as a kind and affordable landlord, owning and maintaining apartments up until her passing. She took great pride in her work and was often seen on the ladder trimming bushes or cleaning gutters herself. In her early years, she worked at Sylvania in Ottawa before becoming a full-time homemaker as her family grew.

She was a Girl Scout leader, a girls’ softball coach, and enjoyed kickboxing, traveling, visiting casinos, and following the Lady Green basketball team. Marty served as the sexton of St. Mary’s Cemetery for 24 years and, during that time, also sold monuments for Fackler Monument Company. She was a life member of Ottoville VFW Post 3740 and enjoyed spending Friday evenings there among friends of all ages.

Marty had a deep love for gardening. Each spring, she planted a large garden and spent her summers tending and harvesting it. Always generous, she would share her produce by placing it on a table in her yard with a “FREE” sign for others to enjoy.

Marty will be remembered for her generosity, warm humor, and free spirit. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ottoville with Very Reverend George Mahas officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Ottoville. Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. on Friday with a scripture service at 1:45 p.m. and again on Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. at LOVE- HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Jackson Township.

Memorial donations may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Choir or CHP Hospice.

Condolences may be expressed at www.loveheitmeyer.com