Martha Frances McIntire Longnecker Hildebrand, 84,of Franklin, NC, passed away Wed., Nov. 21, 2007.
She was born February 8, 1923 in her parents farm home in Madison County, OH, to the late S.F. & Blanche Higgins McIntire. She weighed only 2 ¼ lbs. And was kept alive in the wood cook stove. She grew up in the village of Irwin, OH, and then lived in Springfield and Dayton, OH, lived in Ocoee, FL 34 years before moving to Franklin, NC, the best move she ever made. She was a newspaper and radio reporter in Springfield and Kettering, OH, worked in the office of Beacon Mutual Insurance Co., Dayton, OH, and retired as a workman's compensation claims adjuster and supervisor at Corporate Group Service in Orlando, FL.
She was married to Richard L. Longnecker who died Sept. 9, 1962, to Donald E. Longnecker who died January 14, 1994 and to Victor F. Hildebrand who died November 22, 2004. In addition she was preceded in death by a stepson, Jack Hildebrand who died January 16, 2007.
She traveled to all 48 states with husbands Don and Vic in a travel trailer and motor home, enjoying camping, golfing, dancing, pontoon boating and fish fries with friends in Florida, a very good life. She was a volunteer at Angel Medical Center and a member of Hickory Knoll United Methodist Church where she served as Sunday School Superintendent and teacher, member of the choir, Lay Leader, delegate to General Assembly at Lake Junaluska, Editor of the church newsletter, publicity chairman, volunteer photographer and on a number of committees.
She had no children of her own but loved as her own five step children and their families. She is survived by three step daughters, Carolyn Longnecker Ramey and husband Virgil of Pinckney, MI, Janet Longnecker Render and husband, Arnold of Howell, MI, Cindy Hildebrand Kepplin and husband, Wayne of Rolling Prairie, IN, one stepson, Charles Hildebrand of Leesburg, FL; daughter-in-law, Grace Hildebrand of Grand Rapids, MI; 15 grandchildren; 37 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren; one sister, Ruth E. McIntire of Franklin, NC; and her Chihuahua, Joey; also, special friends, Jerry and Rachel Arndt of Franklin; Robin, Mary and Larry Sibley of New Port Richey, FL, Larry and Janet Peterson of Hamlet, IN, Ralph and Donna Nehmelman of Fouts, IN and her Hickory Knoll Church Family.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, November 23, at Macon Funeral Home.
The Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 24, at Hickory Knoll United Methodist Church. Rev. Tim McConnell will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jerry Arndt, Bill Gallman, John Wilde, Carl Alexander, Larry Conley, Larry Ringle and Ed Carpenter.
Memorial donations may be made to the Hickory Knoll United Methodist Church Building Fund, C/O Debbie Smith, 546 S. Tryphosa Road, Otto, NC 28763.
Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Online condolences @www.maconfuneralhome.com