Martha "Marty" R. (Rinehart) Vlerebome

Marty Vlerebome passed peacefully at Pickering House on Friday, February 10, 2023 after a valiant battle with dementia.  She was born January 12, 1936 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Dr. Huston H. Rinehart and his wife Anne Snodgrass Rinehart.  She graduated from Wyoming High School and attended Ohio Wesleyan University where she pledged the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and majored in Elementary Education.  There she met the love of her life, Allan Vlerebome, whom she married in March of 1957.

Following their marriage, Marty accompanied Allan to West Germany for ten months while he completed his military service.  While there, they traveled throughout Europe and lived with a German couple in their apartment in Bad Herzfeld, West Germany.

Marty had two children, daughter Kathy Vlerebome Kittredge of Lancaster, and son, Pete Vlerebome of Birmingham AL, whom she stayed home and raised until they were older.  In 1972, she became a full time teacher with the Lancaster City School system after substituting for many years prior.  She taught fifth grade at Utica Elementary for four years, and then moved to East Elementary teaching fourth grade for the next 23 years.  She was teacher of teachers, having guided many student teachers in their development and later received the Martha Holden Jennings award for her exemplary teaching and fostering deep learning in her students.

Marty enjoyed an active life and gave back to the community in which she lived.  She was a past member of the Lancaster Arts and Civics group, Lancaster Parent League, Twig 14, the Ladies 18 hole golfers at Lancaster Country Club, and several bridge groups.  A member of the First Presbyterian Church, she helped prepare the Wednesdays Together dinners for many years, and enjoyed calling on the shut in members of the church bringing them recordings of the past week’s sermon and cookies to enjoy while listening to God’s word.  Another of Marty’s gifts was gathering all of the single neighbors together at her table during the holiday seasons to join in celebration with her family and the food she prepared.

Marty is survived by her daughter Kathy Vlerebome Kittredge and grandson Michael Kittredge, son Pete Vlerebome and wife Tina, their sons Conner, Cramer and Crew Vlerebome, brother Hugh Rinehart and sister-in-law Katherine Rinehart, along with  many special nieces, nephews and cousins, and special friend Lee Jewett.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Allan Vlerebome, sister and brother-in-law Mary and John Morison, and sister-in-law Ann Sorenson.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 11 am at the First Presbyterian Church, 222 N. Broad St., Lancaster, with visitation an hour prior beginning at 10 am. Burial to follow at Maple Grove Cemetery.

Donations may be made in Marty’s memory to Fairhope Hospice 282 Sells Rd., Lancaster, OH  43130 or to the Fairfield Area Humane Society 1721 Granville Pike, Lancaster, OH  43130.

To send an online condolence, and sign the guest book, please visit www.funeralhome.com.