Martha Gresh

Martha J. Gresh, age 81, of Girard, passed away peacefully in her sleep Wednesday January 1, 2014 at UPMC Hamot. She was born in Fairview on October 14, 1932 the daughter of the late Harry and Anna Petrik Michalczik.

Martha graduated from Fairview High School. She worked for Marx Toys and later retired from Pleasant Ridge Manor as a nurse’s aide. She was a member of the Saints Cyril & Methodius Byzantine Catholic Church, where she belonged to the Rosary Society. Mom was a loving and caring mother to all her nine children. Her passions included reading, family get togethers, laughing and most memorably- her cabbage rolls, pierogies and nut rolls will be carried on for generations to come. She will be sorely missed.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers: Michael, Emil, Daniel and Edward Michalczik; and two sisters, Rose Hoehn and Helen Horodynski.

Martha is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Frank Gresh Sr.; Nine children: Cynthia (Donald) Sanford, Marlene (Gary) Schroeck, Frank Jr. (Melinda) Gresh, Lillian D’Andrea, Christine Gresh, Martin (Cynthia) Gresh, Charles (Kelly) Gresh, Roseann Gresh (Ken Gottschling) and Valerie (Michael) Clark; fourteen grandchildren: David Sanford, Brian, Christopher and Douglas Walker, Steven and Sara Gresh, Marlena D’Andrea, Bryttani and Constance Gresh, Monica Riviera, Rachel and Mitchell Gresh and Michael and Sean Clark. Also survived by five great grandchildren; one sister, Mary LaPaglia of Erie and one brother, Joseph Michalczik of Sun City, AZ ; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call Burton Funeral Home Girard, 525 Main Street East, Friday 2-4 and 6-8 pm. A Parastas Service will be held at 4PM Friday. A prayer service will be held Saturday at 9:30 at the funeral home followed by a Funeral Divine Liturgy at S.s. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church at 10 am with the Very Reverend John J. Mihalco officiating. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the S.s. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church 1022 Tilden Avenue, Girard, PA 16417.

Send condolences at www.Burtonfuneralhomes.com