Martha Lou Mersch

Martha Lou (Thomas) Mersch

Martha passed away on September 14, 2023, in Dewey, Oklahoma. She was born on April 4, 1941, in Pawhuska, Oklahoma to Elbert and Dora (Moles) Thomas. Martha married George Joseph (Bucky) Eisenberger on November 10, 1961, in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Their children are Keni Lee, Kelly Ann, and Teri Dawn. Bucky died in Vietnam on December 5, 1965.

Martha and the girls moved to Irving, Texas where she later met and married Ervin Thomas (E.T) Mersch on November 12, 1975. They have one son, Ervin Thomas (Buddy) Mersch II. Martha has one stepdaughter, Debra Dee Mersch Little.

Martha is survived by her husband, E.T.; her daughters and sons-in-law, Keni and Andy Horton, Teri and Gary Hurd; her daughter Kelly Eisenberger; her son, Buddy Mersch; and her stepdaughter, Debbie Little. Also, her brother and sister-in-law, Lewis and Linda Thomas; and the children of her brother James, Kim Tafoya and Matthew Thomas. Martha has 11 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Martha is preceded in death by her parents, and her brother James Harold Thomas.

Martha was raised in the Wynona area where she was surrounded by her large extended family. In the 1950’s, the family moved to Illinois and later Iowa, where Elbert worked in the oil and gas industry. Martha graduated from Redfield High School in 1959 where she was class Salutatorian. She excelled in sports and played softball, basketball, volleyball, and was a cheerleader.

Martha began her career as a bookkeeper working in Iowa and Oklahoma before moving to Texas. There she was the warehouse manager for a large appliance company.

Martha and E.T. attended Christ for the Nations Bible College in Dallas, Texas. She received her certification as an ordained minister and performed many weddings and served in the ministry. She and Glenda Henley and Ann Smith started a women’s ministry called The Good News where they ministered in Oklahoma and Arkansas. They also had a television program on a local station called Good News for Today.

After moving back to Oklahoma in 1976, Martha served as Wynona City Clerk, and was office manager for her uncle, Pete Moles as Fox Drilling. In 1988 the family moved to Bartlesville and Martha was employed by Washington County, where she worked in the Court Clerk and County Treasurer offices, eventually becoming Court Clerk and serving for 10 years.

Martha had a dynamic and outgoing personality; she drew people in and made them feel special. One of her greatest joys was being with her grandchildren, and she especially loved watching them playing sports. Hers were always the loudest cheers in the crowd, and she would tell everyone around how proud she was of them.

Martha will be greatly missed by her family and friends.