Martha Jane (Winningham) Lavalley

Martha Jane (Winningham) Lavalley, 81, Mexico, passed peacefully on Monday, February 3, 2025, at her home in Mexico, Indiana.  

She was born on January 18, 1944, in Denver, Indiana, to Beulah (Walker) and John Winningham. After graduating from Peru High School, she married Joseph Lavalley on December 31, 1963, and he survives.

Martha spent much of her adult life traveling the world, wherever Joe’s career in the Air Force took them. Through their travels, their family grew to include son, John “Andy,” and daughters, Tracy and Erin.

Martha loved her family first and foremost, hosting holidays every year with endless games and prizes, love, laughter and, at Christmas, her homemade fudge.

She enjoyed garage sales and shopping and sitting around the campfire, at home or at Mississenewa Reservoir, always with a cup of coffee in hand. Martha could play dominos for hours with her sisters, or sit at her spot at the slot machine at the Blue Chip.

She is survived by her husband, Joe Lavalley, Mexico; son, Andy (Amy) Lavalley, Valparaiso; and daughters, Tracy (Tom) Foor, Indianapolis; and Erin (Jeremy) Brindle, Mexico; grandchildren, Joe and Anna Lavalley; Abby Foor (Keith Vogel) and Hunter Foor (Alex Harris); and Landon and Brooks Brindle; great-granddaughters, Maeve Harris and Lou Harris Foor; and sisters, Rose Houk, Mexico; and Carol Sue “Susie” DePoy, Peru; brother, John “Jake” Winningham, Peru, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents; and her sisters, Elizabeth Mae “Bette” Howell and Shirley “Shaut” Douglass.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 7, 2025, at McClain Funeral Home, Denver, Indiana, with Pastor Julie Walker officiating. Burial will follow in Chili Cemetery, Chili.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Friday, at the funeral home. 

Memorial contributions may be directed to Friends of Mississinewa for the fireworks fund or to St. Jude Children Hospital. 

McClain Funeral Home, Denver, Indiana, has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.mcclainfh.com.