MENDOTA - Martha J. (Mitchell) Sloan, 74, of Mendota was called home to rest on Sept. 20, 2020.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 28 at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with an Organizations of Order of the Eastern Star service at 6 p.m.

Martha was born April 10, 1946 in LaSalle to Edwin and Elizabeth (Newell) Mitchell. She later married Chester Barnhart.

Survivors include one daughter, Anna Sloan-Jefferson of Ottawa; one son, Joe Sloan of Mendota; a grandson, Anthony Jefferson of Utica; one granddaughter, Donna Sloan of Arlington; one sister, Sandra Lucas of Mendota; a son-in-law, Brian Jefferson of Utica; nieces and nephews, Carol Lucas and family of Utica, Connie Lucas and Elizabeth Lucas, both of Mendota, Lee Ann Lemmer and family of Plymouth, and Edward Mitchell and family and Dr. Robert Mitchell and family, both of Peru.

She was preceded in death by her parents and stepfather; one sister, June E. Mitchell; and two brothers, Edwin Mitchell and James A. Mitchell.

Martha worked at Marathon Electric as a seamstress for over 10 years. In 1979, she taught Native Americans in El Paso, Texas at the College Center. She worked at Luke’s Tap in Mendota for many years, was a certified nurse assistant for over 20 years and owned and operated Mitchell’s Emporium in Mendota. Caring for strays was her ultimate passion, followed by being a gifted artisan (jewelry, oil painting, ceramics and baking). She enjoyed digging geodes with her son, which they would turn into works of art. You could find her and her daughter at vendor shows and farmers markets for over 20 years until last year due to her stroke.

Memorials may be directed to the family.