Martha "Marty" Turpin

Martha Rose “Marty” Turpin, age 95 of Lancaster, died peacefully at the Pickering House on December 29th, 2013. Marty was born August 20th, 1918, in Cleveland to James Cherrington and “Alice” Mildred Howard Fippin. She graduated from Lancaster High School in 1936 and Ohio State University in 1940 with a BS in Physical Education.
Marty married William “Bill” Turpin, on August 28th, 1941, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lancaster. She was a Volunteer Red Cross Educator during WWII, later served as Field Director of Girl Scouts of America, East Orange, New Jersey. Bill and Marty returned to Lancaster and St. John’s Episcopal Church in 1952. Marty loved Lancaster and lived a full life dedicated to the service of others. Marty stayed active as a Girl Scout leader and the director of the Girl Scout day camps at Rising Park and then Triple S Camp. At St. John’s she served the church in a variety of positions including Senior Warden, Lay Reader for 37 years, Lector, choir member, and Parish Health Ministry member. She served the Diocese of Southern Ohio on numerous committees and as a convention delegate. Marty made her Cursillo in 1975, was an active leader in the Faith Alive Weekend program and completed one year of the Education for Ministry program.
She taught Physical Education in the Lancaster Public schools for 24 years. She was respected and loved by her students. They will remember her drum and the one piece blue gym suits, while the boys will remember the “curtain”. She provided an opportunity for all LHS girls to remain fit through the Girls’s Athletic Club intramural program. In 1964, she reinstituted the girls varsity athletic program. She served on the Ohio State Girls Athletic Association board and helped with many state cheerleader clinics. She was the first Lancaster Girl’s Athletic Director.
Marty was a 60-year season ticket holder and lifetime member of the Ohio State University Alumni Association, Friends of OSU Alumnae Club, Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority, Ohio Retired Teachers Assoc., and American Association of University Women. She was also a member of the Pleasantville Garden Club, Pleasantville Senior Sociable’s and Pleasant Grange #1615. Marty was a past Noble Grand of Monticello Rebekah Lodge #885 and a founding member of the Olivedale Coin Club.
Bill and Marty enjoyed camping throughout the U.S. enjoying each other’s company and this great country. They combined camping and square dancing with the Country Swingers. They traveled around the world with OU-L and OSU on 27 trips. Marty never missed a single Lancaster Festival, was a season ticket holder for the Columbus Symphony, OSU Theater, Lancaster Chorale and Lancaster Community Concerts.
Marty was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, on April 24, 2004 and her parents James and Mildred Fippin. She is survived by her son, William Douglas (Loyce) Turpin of Dertoit, MI; daughter, Diana C. Turpin of Lancaster; grandchildren, Ryan Turpin, Lindsay (Kido) Pielack, Brendan (Robyn) Turpin; and great-grandchildren, Dean and Ella Turpin, Evan and Madilynn Turpin.
The family would like to thank the staffs of Primrose Retirement Community and FairHoPe Hospice.
A memorial service will take place at St. John’s Episcopal Church at 10:30AM on Saturday officiated by the Reverend G. William Pursley. Family and friends may call from 2 until 6 PM on Friday at the FRANK E. SMITH FUNERAL HOME with Caring Cremation® to follow the calling hours. Burial will take place at Hampson Cemetery in Pleasantville. Memorial gifts in Martha’s name may be given to Fairfield County Foundation, P.O. Box 159, Lancaster, or FairHoPe Hospice, 282 Sells Rd. Lancaster, OH 43130.

Calling Hours

2:00 PM - 6:00 PM ,Friday, January 3, 2014
Frank E Smith Funeral Home
405 N. Columbus St Lancaster, OH 43130

Memorial Service

10:30 AM ,Saturday, January 4, 2014
St. Johns Episcopal Church
134 N Broad Street Lancaster, OH 43130