Vivian L. (Cottingham) Martin

Vivian L. (Cottingham) Martin, formerly of Pence, Indiana passed away Friday December 26, 2025, in Hoopeston, IL.

Born Jan 5, 2026, Daughter of the late Robert E. & Anna F. (Blind) Cottingham.

She was raised in the farmhouse at Maple Row Farm, Medina township Warren County, Indiana

Vivian married Matt E. Martin, 1948 in Greenhill, IN. The church building in which they were married in later years became a Coon hunters club, which always brought them a chuckle. They were married for 62 years until Matt's passing in 2010. Vivian was also Preceded in death by her parents & Siblings Wilma, Irma, Dwight, Dwain, Roberta & Roselyn Cottingham. 

Vivian is survived by her two sons, Rex (Maureen) Martin of Hoopeston, IL and Tony (E. Lynanne) Martin of near Pence, IN. 3 grandchildren, Bert Martin, Brenda Martin and Adam Martin. 10 great granddaughters, 1 great grandson, 4 great, great grandsons and several wonderful Nieces and Nephews.

At the age of 13 Vivian was struck with a burst Appendix, which, at that time, was very much a life-threatening condition. Spending four months in the hospital. At one point the Doctors told her father that she was not likely to live much longer. Her oldest sister, Irma being a Nurse out east in Philadelphia. Came home on the train and brought special new medicine which a Doctor in Philadelphia had mixed. Irma quit her job as a Nurse in Philly, came home and helped care for Vivian for a significant time during her recovery.

Due to her long illness, Vivian repeated the 8th grade, then went on to become Valedictorian of Pine Village, IN H.S. class of 1944. One of her teachers, Emma Akers helped her prepare her valedictorian speech.

Vivian graduated from Lafayette’s Home Hospital school of Nursing as an RN and worked in surgery at Home Hospital, then later at Lake View hospital in Danville, Illinois. She also worked in the Dental field with Doc Bush in Rossville, Il before becoming a Farm wife & bookkeeper for her husband’s Farming & Livestock enterprises & Seed business- Martin Seeds.

Vivian was a terrific Mother. The kind who stayed up all night in the chair worrying and waiting on her occasionally,….O.K., often knuckleheaded teenage sons to return home on a weekend night. Surprisingly she never once disowned us.

Vivian was the kind of mother who suddenly lost her appetite when there was only a serving or two remaining, and her sons were also at the table.

Vivian was also the “Mean” kind of Mom who drilled into her sons, routines & habits such as regularly saying Please & Thank you, brushing your teeth and other habits of good hygiene. She drilled her preschool sons with scholastic cards, so they could have a good start in school.

Simply by her example, her kids knew that honesty was the best policy.

For many years Vivian enjoyed golfing with her friends at Hubbard Trail and was a charter lifetime member of the Warren County “Coffee club” along with her late friends Virginia Crone, , May Debord, Lillian Etchison, Alma Greenwood & Glowdine Myers.

She and Matt traveled extensively and spent several years as members of the Ambassadair flying club.

Her family would like to thank the many wonderful caregivers over the past years. Along with providing dedicated care, these folks bravely stood their post during the frightening, uncertain times early in the Covid epidemic. I’ll not name names for fear of leaving someone out. However, the staff & those in the background quietly supporting at the Carle Hospital Emergency room, Autumn Fields Hoopeston, and especially those at Heritage Healthcare in Hoopeston are much appreciated. We were lucky & blessed to have these facilities and caring people!

Visitation will be at Grady Funeral Home in Williamsport on Saturday, January 3, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. until funeral service time at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Rod Andrews officiating. Interment will follow at Jordan Cemetery in Pence. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in Vivian's name be made to the Tab Christian Church to construct a handicap lift.