Let Us Pause To Honor the Memory of Mrs. Martha "Martie" Mary (Hess) Hoying.

Martie Hoying, age 78, of Madison, Indiana passed away on August 12, 2025, at Norton King's Daughters' Hospital in Madison, Indiana.

She entered this world on March 13, 1947, in Celina, Ohio, the youngest daughter among Leo and Viola Hess's eight children.

Martie was a lifelong student and teacher. She graduated from St. Henry High School in St. Henry, Ohio in 1965 and received a Bachelor's degree in education from the University of Dayton in 1968. She started her teaching career in the St. Henry, Ohio school system. She moved to Jefferson County, Indiana in 1969 and taught in the Southwestern school system. In 1972, she stepped away from formal teaching to focus on her star pupils, her children. She later returned to the classroom as a substitute teacher in schools across Jefferson County.

Martie always wanted to know and understand more about the world and the people around her. She had an equal desire to pass along what she learned to others. These traits continued, even in the later years when it was difficult for her to communicate.

Martie and Fred Hoying grew up attending the same Catholic parish, St. Aloysius in Carthagena, Ohio. They first dated in college and were married on August 16, 1969. Together, they had four children: Kenneth, Joyce, Herman and Katie.

In addition to their faith and love of teaching, Martie and Fred shared competitive spirits and an appreciation for laughter. Martie dominated at word games like Scrabble and more than held her own at Bridge Club and in all manner of other card games. Unlike Fred, she wasn't one for pounding the table. Instead, she let her sly smiles and smart play speak for themselves. She took particular pride and joy in watching her beloved granddaughter, Eliana, develop her own good-natured competitiveness.

Martie had a wonderful smile and loved to laugh. She had rules about what should and should not be funny. She wanted laughter to always be paired with kindness, not cruelty. She valiantly tried to avoid rewarding her husband's pranks with smiles or giggles, but often failed. She personally preferred puns and plays on words.

Martie made a career of supporting her husband's public service. Throughout Fred's over 30 years as a judge, Martie maintained their home in "search warrant ready" condition. She was prepared for the police to barrel up the driveway with little to no notice to request that Fred sign a warrant. She tolerated the frequent interruptions to her family's life, whether at home or the supermarket. The only notable exception was when police disrupted Sunday Mass. If anyone wonders whether Martie could hold a grudge, she could and sometimes did.

Martie volunteered with many non-profit organizations over the years. She held numerous leadership positions, but she would not want that mentioned. Tri Kappa, Bethany Circle, the Jefferson County Youth Shelter, St. Michael's Catholic Church and later the Prince of Peace parish were among the organizations that she served. She often could be found lending a hand at the local Catholic schools, including in the cafeteria. Her family is particularly proud of the support and leadership she provided to the Jefferson County Youth Shelter.

Martie constantly sacrificed to help others experience joy, especially her family and friends. This was key to her identity. She prepared favorite meals, hosted card parties, and planned vacations. She took on the routine chores of daily life to free up time so others could have fun. There were often days, weeks or even months of furious work and worry. But, it was worth it to her. It was how she found joy and showed love.

In her last years, Martie often was reluctant to have visitors. She could no longer host them in her usual way. She grieved the loss deeply. She knew that her loved ones did not require or expect her to serve as the perfect host, but she so very much still wanted to be able to show her deep love for them in that way.

A loving family

Martie is survived by her husband, Fred, her children Kenneth, Joyce (Walt) Schrader, Herman and Katherine (Scott) Ruske, granddaughter Eliana Ruske, sister Edna Hess, brothers Joe (Ann) Hess and John (Rita) Hess, and sister-in-law Sharon Hess. She also is survived by a number of her Hoying in-laws, including Fred's sisters Connie Guggenbiller, Janice Rindler, Diane (Denny) Siefring, Sue (Stan) Zielinski, Lois (Bob) Hartings, and Cindy (John) Hamberg, Fred's brothers, Ron (Teresa) Hoying, Richard (Zinnia) Hoying, Mike (Pam) Hoying and Mark Hoying, Fred's sister-in-law Linda Hoying and Fred's brother-in-law David Reilly. Martie was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Viola (Boeke) Hess, sister and brother-in-law Rosemary and Dave Dirksen, brother and sister-in-law Carl and Eileen Hess, brother Lester Hess, an infant brother Joseph Hess, and in-laws Barbara Hoying, Ralph Guggenbiller, Kenneth Hoying, Norman Hoying, Jerry Rindler, Mary Therese Reilly, Helen Hoying and Beverly Hoying.

Mass of Christian burial

Funeral Mass will be conducted Monday, August 18, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., by Father Rick Nagel, Father Mark Hoying and Father Chris Craig at the Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 413 East Second Street in downtown Madison, Indiana. Interment will follow in the St. Patrick Cemetery, 305 West State Street in Madison, Indiana.

Visitation

Friends may visit Sunday, August 17, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Monday, August 18, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana.

The Rosary

The Rosary will be prayed on Monday, August 18, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. at the Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 413 East Second Street in Madison, Indiana.

Memorial expressions

Memorial contributions may be made to the Jefferson County Youth Shelter.  Cards are available at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centres of Madison and Hanover and at the church. Online condolences, remembrances, and memorials can be left at www.morgan-nay.com.