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- [S927] Obituary.
ASHLAND - Martha L. Highman (Bates) went to be with her Lord after a five-month struggle with cancer. She passed away Monday morning, March 9, 2009 at Hospice of North Central Ohio in Ashland.
She was born in Logan, Ohio, August 12, 1922 to her parents George Dewey and Rosella Bates. She was raised most of her life in Monroe County, south of Woodsfield. She was a long-time resident of Ashland. She worked thirty-six years at Faultless Rubber Company prior to her retirement. Martha also worked at Ashland Restaurant for forty-one years. She worked two jobs at the same time to take care of her family. She was an avid Faultless Rubber Softball Fan. She received a plaque from the team distinguishing her as "Faultless Softball Super Fan". She also enjoyed Ashland JAWS wrestling program, Junior High and Ashland Senior High wrestling for many years. She was an avid fan of the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers. She attended many home and away games. She also appeared in baseball sporting news, newspapers in Arizona, Detroit, Cleveland, and Florida with Kenny Lofton, Omar Visquel, Sammy Sosa, and Detroit manager, Jim Leyland. She will be deeply missed by her family and many friends.
She is survived by her sons, John Park (Doreen), Thurman (Wiener) Watkins (Susan), and Oliver C. Highman II, all in Ashland; her daughters, Mary E. Rush (Phil) of Grosse Ile, Michigan and Martha L. Highman II of Ashland; granddaughters, Nicole Restille (Tony) of Mansfield, Tonya Gregg (Larry) of Mifflin, Lisa Rush Clevinger (Eddie) of Grosse Ile, Michigan, and Heather Bell (Randy) of Samford, Florida; and grandsons, Doug Park (Patti) of Las Vegas, Nevada, Eric Rush (Nancy) of Grosse Ile, Michigan, Morgan Park of Ashland, Pilot Park of Las Vegas, Nevada, Oliver Douglas Highman (Alison) of Ashland, and Randy Bates (Sandy) and Tammy Bates and families of Monroe County. She is also survived by sons, Don Highman (Amy) and family and Bill Highman and family both of Ashland and daughter, Shirley Watts and family of Lincoln, California. She had a total of 23 grandchildren and 45 great grandchildren. She will be missed by her special friends, Janet Rea of Arizona, Janet Haines of Ashland, and her whole Lyn-Way family, as well as Lucie Restille and families. She also left many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and step mother, Flavel; brothers, Bob Bates, Richard Bates, and William Bates; sisters, Jane Russell and twin sister, Esther Lee; her sons, George Bates and Larry Highman; and her beloved grandson, Sean Rush. She was also preceded in death by grandson, Brian McElwain; and her dear family member, Carl P. Restille.
Friends may call Friday, March 13, 2009 from 3-8 p.m. at the Ashland Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 308 Claremont Ave., Ashland. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 14, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home conducted by Pastor Jeff Slater. Burial will follow in Ashland County Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Hospice of North Central Ohio, 1050 Dauch Dr., Ashland or Church of Christ on County Road 1356, Ashland.
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