Martha Kem

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Martha Jane Kem, 79, of Sikeston died Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center.

She was born July 12, 1922, at Lilbourn, Mo., daughter of John and Inez Brown Hessling. She and Arthur Murel Kem were married in March 1939 at Sikeston. He died June 24, 1988.

Kem retired as a bookkeeper with National Lock. She was a member of Calvary Temple.

Survivors include three sons, John Kem and Page Blanton of Port Angeles, Wash., Don Blanton of Dallas, Texas; two daughters, Judith Kelly of Mobile, Ala., Michelle Kem-Baker of Sikeston; a brother, Basil Hessling of Detroit, Mich.; six grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, a brother, and a sister.

Friends may call at Blanchard Funeral Chapel from 5-8 p.m. Friday.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Gospel Church. The Rev. Larry Davis will officiate. Burial will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery.