Martha Mae (Antrim) Dickbreder

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Born near Appleton City, Mo., on July 3, 1923, Martha Mae Antrim passed away on Nov. 25, 2005, she was the youngest child and only daughter of Oren Homer and Myrtle Mae Shrum Antrim. The family moved to a farm west of Schell City while she was a child, and she has lived her entire life in the Schell City community, graduating from Schell City High School in 1942.

On July 22, 1944, she married her high school sweetheart, Billy Dean Dickbreder. Two children -- Dorothy Mae and William Dean completed their family. Martha was a dedicated homemaker, mother, and business helpmate, as she and Billy Dean owned the Standard Oil Bulk Delivery for 29 years. As a child, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior, and like her parents before her, she and her family were active members in the Schell City First Baptist Church. Later she and B.D. transferred their membership to the El Dorado Springs, First Baptist Church, where they were faithful members while her health permitted. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 148, El Dorado Springs, and previously a member of the Schell City Chapter, where she served several years as Worthy Matron.

Martha was an active sports participant in basketball in high school and on many summer softball leagues during the '60s. She continued her love of basketball by following most college and professional games on television throughout her life. She was an "outdoor" person, always planting a garden and having many flowerbeds. B.D. and Martha were known for the beautiful flowers and impressive Christmas light displays at their home south of Schell City. She enjoyed their 18 years of R-Ving and traveling after their retirement; making many new friends which developed into long-term friendships.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and sisters-in-law, Jay and Merle (Midge) Antrim, Schell City, and Ray and Ella Mae Antrim, Taft, Calif., and one son-in-law, Loren Charles Goodman.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Billy Dean (B.D.) of the home; one son, Dean and Sandy Dickbreder of Racine, Wis., and one daughter, Dorothy and Paul Palmer of Schell City. She enjoyed step great-grandchildren, Devin and Adajha Spaulding of Racine, Wis., and Autumn Isbell of Independence, and Autumn's parents, Bob and Lola Miller. She is also survived by five nieces and nephews, Doug and Diane Antrim, Joplin, Mo., Bob and Nancy Antrim, Virginia Tays and Linda Brough, all of Taft, Calif., and Jim Antrim of Denver, Colo.; and as well as cousins and many special friends, including her special shopping friend, Dee McKinney, and her faithful "recliner buddy" Muffy.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 28, at the First Baptist Church, El Dorado Springs, with the Rev. Tom Willoughby and the Rev. John Nichols officiating. Interment was in the Green Lawn Cemetery, Schell City. Funeral arrangements by Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home, Schell City.