Dorothy J. Martich

Dorothy Jeanne Martich passed away April 21, 2021 at Glenn Arbor Hospice Residence in Battle Creek, MI from complications following a stroke. She was born in Hastings, Michigan, November 9, 1927, one of five daughters of Fay and Ruth (Porter) Hummel.

Dorothy first attended school in Quimby, the Star School on M-37, and later was a student at Hastings Public Schools.

She moved to Battle Creek in 1945 and first worked at Michigan Bell, then for Kellogg Company on Porter Street from 1951-1967. She was a Wattles Park Cub Scout den mother while her son was in elementary school.

Dorothy married Michael J. Martich on July 15, 1966. He preceded her in death on December 6, 2011.

She served on or was a member of: the Post/Franklin Neighborhood Council; the Battle Creek Historical Society's Committee for Fire Station #3's 90th birthday celebration; the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Underground Railroad Monument Committee; the Michigan Black History Network; the Kalamazoo Postcard Club. She was also a charter member of the Sojourner Truth 200th Committee; a United Arts Council Volunteer; a member and volunteer at the Burnham Brook Senior Center; and past president of the Friends of Willard Public Library where she catered meals for the volunteers who worked at the annual book sale; and a "gray lady" at the Lakeview General Osteopathic hospital.

Dorothy received many awards: The Toastmasters International Communication and Leadership Award; 1988 Community Service Award from the National Association of Black Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Battle Creek Branch; 1988 Book of Golden Deeds Award from the Battle Creek Exchange Club; 1992 Service Award from the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; Distinguished service Award from the Historical District of Calhoun County; Charitable Union Founders Award; Battle Creek Rotarian "Red Rose" award; and, along with her husband, a "Battle Creek's Finest" award from the Battle Creek City Commission.

She authored a family genealogy book titled "Richard Boyles of England and his marriage to Mary Jane Hayden of Ohio". She contributed research materials for "The History of The Charitable Union", and the Oak Hill Cemetery book, "Beyond These Gates".

In 1987 Dorothy was awarded a Battle Creek "George" award for creating an extensive Black History collection at Willard Library. She and husband Michael made many historical presentations pertaining to local black history in area schools through the United Arts Council, "Art Goes To School" program. They wrote, with the assistance of the Miller Foundation, a Sojourner Truth pamphlet for the Battle Creek Historical Society. Later they produced, in conjunction with Access Vision and other community recourses, the Battle Creek Black History video titled "More Than One Way Home"; and organized the Ann Schwarz day on the Linear Park for Seniors and The Physically Challenged in 1992-1994.

She is survived by her only child, Douglas A. Barton, of Battle Creek, Michigan. In accordance with her wishes no visitation or funeral will be held. She has been cremated and interred with her husband Michael on the Hussey plot at Oak Hill Cemetery, Battle Creek, Michigan. Arrangements by the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Memorial donations may be made to the Willard Library Martich Black History Collection, 7 W. Van Buren St., Battle Creek, MI, 49017. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.