Martha Jane Kellam
June 14, 1942 – December 7, 2016
Martha Jane Kellam, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed into her eternal rest surrounded by her loving family and friends at her home in Sheridan on Wednesday evening, December 7, 2016, at the age of 74.
Jane was born in Lebanon, Indiana on June 14, 1942 to the late John Manning and Frances Ilene (Mumford) Childers.
After graduating from Sheridan High School with the Class of 1960 Mrs. Kellam continued forward with her education, earning her Associates Degree in Business from Indiana Business College. She and her husband Joe were married in March of 1970. They met in High School and continued their travels through life at each other’s side, raising a wonderful legacy on their family farm in Sheridan.
Mrs. Kellam worked as an Administrative Assistant for Starks Law Firm for many years. Her true career and passion, however, was working on the family farm. She was an avid reader and a true farmer’s wife, wanting to tackle every project she could get her hands on. If she didn’t know how to do something, she was determined to figure it out. Mrs. Kellam loved to be out in the fields driving the tractor and combine. Nurturing the animals that were living on the farm seemed to come to her with ease. She loved taking care of the hogs and cattle. If there was one area on the farm where she truly excelled, it would have to be working with her hands. Building things – Big things, small things, it didn’t matter. She was extremely talented when it came to any projects involving construction. From reupholstering to roofing, which was one of her favorites by the way, she seemed to be able to do it all. Much to her husband Joe’s dismay, the house always seemed to be in a constant state of remodeling. Mrs. Kellam loved to “tear up” the house. Painting, moving walls, working on the roof, recovering and fixing some furniture, moving more walls, sneaking back up on the roof, she was definitely in her element.
Survivors include her two children William Allen Kellam of Sheridan and Andrea Ann (Greg) Palmer of St. Johns, Florida; two grandchildren Madison and Meaghan Palmer; sister Karen (Steve) Walden-Pitts of Sheridan; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and three sisters Elizabeth Anne Shelburne, Sandra K. Childers and Marie Gordon.
Graveside Services are scheduled to take place for both Mrs. Kellam and her husband at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 2, 2022, at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be presented to the Make a Wish Foundation, or to the Terhune United Methodist Church.
The Kellam and Palmer families want to thank all of their family and friends for their love and emotional support.
Kercheval Funeral Home in Sheridan has been entrusted with arrangements.