Martha Melissa Staker, 90, of Portsmouth, a long-time Columbus resident, passed away on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Wesley Village at Hill View. Martha was born on June 30, 1934, in Portsmouth, the daughter of the late Anton William and Melissa Margaret Justice Staker.
A 1952 graduate of Portsmouth High School, went on to attend the former White Cross School of Nursing. White Cross became Riverside United Methodist Hospital in 1961, and she worked as the head nurse of Labor and Delivery for over 40 years. Martha was a member of the Maize Manor United Methodist Church in Columbus where she taught Sunday School, played piano and sang in the choir. She enjoyed knitting, her cats, and spending time with her family. Martha also loved to travel.
Surviving are several nieces, nephews, and their families, John Hire, Anton Staker, Rebecca Staker Appleton, Robert Staker, Jr., Martha Kirk, John Stronczer, Thomas Stronczer and Melissa Quijada.
In addition to her parents, Martha was preceded in death by siblings William ‘Bill’ (Mary) Staker, Robert ‘Bob’ (Louella) Staker, Jacqueline Hire, and Gretchen (John) Stronczer; and nephews, Greg Hire, Charles Staker, and Phillip Staker.
The family extends sincere thanks to the wonderful caregivers at Hill View’s Wesley Village and SOMC Hospice.
Funeral services with Facebook Live Stream will be held at 1 P.M. on Friday, May 9, 2025, at the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth with Dennis Dawes, Minister, officiating. The interment will be in Greenlawn Cemetery. Please visit the funeral home’s Facebook page to join the Live Stream.
The Nurse Honor Guard of the River Cities will offer a memorial tribute.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to services.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to SOMC Hospice, 2201-25th St.,
Portsmouth, OH 45662.
