Martha “Marty” J. Henderson

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Martha “Marty” J. Henderson age 85, of Quincy died on Friday, August 22nd, 2025, in Blessing Hospital. Martha was born on April 28th, 1940, in Decatur IL a daughter of Hamil “Hugh” Elam and Hilda (Rakers) Elam.

She married Donald Dean Henderson on October 28th, 1961, in Mexico MO and he survives. Martha worked alongside her husband Don on the family farm. Her professional career included working as the secretary for Quincy, IL Chamber of Commerce. Martha and her husband Don owned and operated a grocery store in Ludlow, MO. She loved teaching 3rd grade as a substitute teacher in the Braymer, Missouri school district. Her family moved from Decatur to Auxvasse; Missouri and she attended 2 years of high school there. She attended and graduated from Saint Brendan’s Catholic School in Mexico MO.

She was a member of Saint Francis Solanus Catholic Church in Quincy.

Her ultimate joy was singing.  Martha won the title of Missouri Top vocalist and went to the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO to perform with a choir. She was a gifted soprano and won the Missouri State Top Vocalist medal in 1958 receiving the award at the Keil Auditorium in Saint Louis, Missouri.

She sang with the Quincy Symphony chorus for many years, as well as with Volunteer Voices. Martha led music at Saint Clements Catholic Church in Chillicothe. She sang at many weddings and funerals over the years. She took vocal lessons at William Woods College in Fulton, Missouri and she led the singing at Ludlow Community Church and considered herself an associate member of that church. She also loved attending Bible studies.

Martha was famous for her banana bread.

In addition to her husband Don, survivors also include their children, Julie Ann Gergen and her husband Bill of Coeur d’Alene, ID and Jeff Henderson of Lewistown, MO.

Four grandchildren: Michael Gergen, John Gergen, Mara Gergen, and Sara Gergen.

A brother, Phil Elam of Quincy; nieces and nephews, and her close friend Ruth Wand of Quincy also survive.

Martha was preceded in death by her siblings Gertrude Watts and her husband Ed; Louis Elam and his wife Ann; Helen Dickson and husband Don; Wilbur Elam; Estella Rothermich and husband Ray, and a sister-in-law, Madalon Elam.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation is Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis. Memorials are suggested to St. Francis Church. Service arrangements are with Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. www.dukerandhaugh.com