A Celebration of Life will be held for Jonny Van and Martha Jane (Shaffer) Sidenbender on Sunday, April 10th at the Rockford Community Building (402 Holly St., Rockford) between 2:00 and 4:00.

This will be an informal gathering when family and friends can share favorite stories and memories of Jon and Martha with one another.

Martha Jane (Shaffer) Sidenbender, 85, of Rockford passed away on November 6, 2021, at Vancrest Nursing Home in St. Marys.

She was born on June 3, 1936, in Van Wert County, and was the daughter of the late Leo "Pete" and Velma Hisey Shaffer. On November 13, 1955, she married Jonny Sidenbender. Together, they shared 65 years of memories on this earth and shared their 66th anniversary together in heaven.

Martha was a 1954 graduate of Rockford High School. She was a mail carrier, working from the Rockford and Ohio City offices for over 30 years and belonged to the National Rural Letter Carriers Association. Martha was a member of the Rockford United Methodist Church and was active in the United Methodist Women's activities. Martha was a very dedicated Band Mother, working in the concession stands for many years. She also enjoyed supporting her grandchildren in their many endeavors over the years.

Surviving, along with children and grandchildren (listed below), are brothers-in-law Tommy (Barb) Sidenbender of Rockford and Nick DeLong of Antwerp.

Preceding Martha in death were eight brothers and one sister: Glenn (Donna), Robert, Thurman (Virginia), Basil (Wilma), Leland (Pauline), Don (Norma), Charles (Patricia) and Leo Jr (JoAnn) Shaffer and Mary Shaffer DeLong.

Jonny Van Sidenbender, 86, of Rockford passed away on August 16, 2021, at Vancrest Nursing Home in St. Marys.

He was born on May 27, 1935, in Dublin Township, and was the son of the late John Van Sidenbender and Mabel Mae Williams Sidenbender Kimmel. On November 13, 1955, he married the former Martha Shaffer. Together, they shared 65 years of memories.

Jonny was a 1953 graduate of Rockford High School. Following graduation from high school, Jonny served in the US Army from 1953 - 1955, where he was the Company Clerk. He was a teacher and coach for Parkway Local Schools and then a Secondary Supervisor for Mercer County Educational Service Center. Jonny also served for many years as the Midwest Athletic Conference (The MAC) Commissioner. Jonny was a member of the Rockford United Methodist Church. He also enjoyed being the "Old Man" in the Rockford Variety Show for many years. Jonny was an avid fan of sports, music, and other activities of his grandchildren.

Surviving is one brother, Tommy Lynn (Barb) Sidenbender of Rockford and four daughters: Karen (Casey) Nuttle of Rockford, Kaye (Kevin) Ross of Rockford, Kelley (Brian) Hager of Kettering, and Karla (John) Butler of Rockford; 12 grandchildren: Jordan (Alison) Ross, Grant (Jasmine) Ross, Eric Bills, Kristin Nuttle (Chris) McDorman, Andy (Stephanie) Hager, Drew (Brad Hansman) Ross, Craig (Lisa) Bills, Michael (Alaine) Nuttle, Ben (Amanda Amburgey) Hager, Joe (Irene Brooks) Hager, Krista Butler (Tom) Baer, Shaun Butler; and 15 great grandchildren.