March 28, 2024

Martha Lucille Dursky

Martha Lucille Dursky, the daughter of Virgil O. and Lena (Ryals) Shobe, was born April 25, 1927, in Glenwood, Mo. She graduated from high school in Queen City, Mo.

On Dec. 22, 1951, Martha was united in marriage with Joseph Dursky Jr. in Lancaster, Mo. Martha devoted her life to her husband and family. She had worked for 11 years for the Newton Daily News in the Composing/Paste Up Room, retiring in 1987.  Martha enjoyed reading and working crossword puzzles. She was a member of the Methodist Church and the Lady Elks. She was a longtime Skiff Auxiliary volunteer and Jimmy Buffett fan.

Martha died on Monday, Nov. 4, 2013, at her home at Park Centre. She was 86 years old. Martha was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joseph, in August 1992; and one brother, Larry Shobe.

Those left to honor Martha’s memory include her sons, David Humphrey of Little Rock, Ark.; Donald (Sandra) Humphrey of Mechanicsburg, Pa.; Dan (Jill) Dursky of Pella; Debra Dursky (Libby Watkins) of West Des Moines; Denise (Randall) Schippers of Altoona; her 10 grandchildren; her six great-grandchildren; her brother, Orin Shobe of Bussey; her sisters, Rosemary Applegate of Ottumwa, Geraldine Phillips of Newton and Inez Carter of Des Moines.

A funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton. The family will greet friends Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be designated to the First United Methodist Church or the American Heart Association and may be left at the funeral home.