Martha Mae Rockey
August 6, 1945-December 15, 2022
Martha Mae Rockey, age 77, of Sheridan, Indiana, passed away on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 15, 2022, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.
She was born on Aug. 6, 1945, at Witham Hospital in Lebanon, daughter of the late Owen and Pauline (Beaty) Richardson.
After graduating from Sheridan High School with the Class of 1963, Mrs. Rockey continued with her studies at Ball State Teachers College, earning her bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in special education in 1967 and her master’s degree in education in 1970. She married John Franklin Rockey at Sheridan First United Methodist Church on Aug. 27, 1967.
She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma (International Society for Women Educators), the Hamilton County Retired Teachers Association and the Sheridan chapter of Phi Beta Psi Sorority for Cancer Research.
She helped educate and mold multiple generations of young minds during her 34 1/3 years as a public school teacher. Mrs. Rockey’s career began in the Carmel School System and made a few stops at Eatontown (New Jersey), Zionsville and Westfield, before she found her way to the Marion-Adams School Corporation (now Sheridan Community Schools) and into her 2nd grade classroom at Adams Elementary, where she taught for 31 years. To call her an amazing teacher would be an understatement. Mrs. Rockey loved reading and tried to inspire that same love in her students, as well as their parents. She knew how important it was to get parents to become active participants in their child’s reading at a young age.
She was a member of Sheridan First United Methodist Church and, after retiring from teaching, devoted more time to her church activities. While her strong faith guided her life and her servant’s heart called her to action, it was her gentle caring soul that made her who she was. Mrs. Rockey loved talking to people, and checking in on those who were homebound was the perfect opportunity to both visit and provide some much needed “medicine” to her friends and neighbors. She was also a part of the church’s Learn and Play preschool program. Returning to teaching after retirement was like coming home. The kids and their parents were blessed to have her in their lives. Mrs. Rockey also helped with the Lunch Club program at the church and, in true fashion, found a way to incorporate reading into that as well. She began distributing books to the children who came to lunch, and it soon became nearly as popular as dessert. While on the topic of food, Mrs. Rockey’s strawberry jam was a hit with her family, friends and neighbors.
She enjoyed taking trips to Lake Shafer with her family, spending time with her grandchildren, playing euchre and following Sheridan Blackhawk Football. She loved watching her former students play and got caught up in the history and the hype of Blackhawk Football.
The Sheridan community has lost a very special person. Mrs. Rockey left her mark on the lives of everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. Hearing her cheerful “Greetings!” meant your day was about to improve.
Survivors include her husband of 55 years John Franklin Rockey; son Brian M. Rockey (Marni) of Fishers; daughter Janice M. Perry (Bill) of Aurora, Illinois; 9 grandchildren Tyler, Maddy, Katie, Ava, Gabe, Jake, Will, Tanner and Megan Mae; sister Nancy (Keith) Robb of Bradenton, Florida; and brother-in-law Robert K. Sanders.
She was preceded in death by her parents Owen and Pauline (Beaty) Richardson; and sister Donna Sanders.
Services are scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, at Sheridan First United Methodist Church, 207 E. 2nd St., Sheridan. Burial will follow at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan. Pastor John Meunier will be officiating. Visitation is scheduled to run from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, at Sheridan First United Methodist Church.
Memorial contributions may be presented to the Sheridan First United Methodist Church Learn and Play Preschool Fund (app.easytithe.com/App/Giving/Sher9999629), or to the Phi Beta Psi Sorority for Cancer Research.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Kercheval Funeral Home in Sheridan, Indiana.