Martha Jane Wickard McMillen

Martha Jane Wickard McMillen, of Holbrook Pennsylvania, died peacefully at UPMC Washington Hospital on July 5, 2026, one day after her 99th birthday. Born on July 4, 1927 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Raymond Calvin Wickard and Sylvia Elizabeth Farlling Wickard.

Martha was gifted with a beautiful voice and met her future husband, Max McMillen at an Easter Sunrise service on a mountain top between Cumberland and Perry County where she sang a solo. Dad was smitten by her voice and told his fraternity brother, “I am going to marry that girl”. They married August 6, 1949. They began their married life in Wind Ridge, Pennsylvania and together raised five children. Max lovingly referred to her as his “Firecracker”!

Martha devoted her early adult life to supporting her husband and raising their family. Her dream was to become an English teacher but life's circumstances prohibited that and she entered the secretarial field. She joined the staff of East Franklin Elementary School in 1969 as an ESEA Title 1 secretary, retiring in 1992.

Music and teaching were entwined in every endeavor she undertook. Martha was a member of Harmony Presbyterian Church, serving in many roles; Junior Choir founder, Adult Choir director, Sunday School and VBS teacher of all ages, and Elder. In her later years she was the pianist/organist for Sunday services until the age of 94 when her health no longer permitted it. She would rather have been singing than playing but was always willing to serve where needed. She also traveled to Jamaica twice on music/evangelism teams. Music truly was the joy of her life and she was a vocalist at numerous weddings and community events. She participated in many community choirs including Handel's Messiah and Daughters of Grace where she was a charter member.

Leadership was a quality that Martha exhibited without fanfare. She was elected as the first female president of her high school class, attending class reunions faithfully and keeping up with classmates through the years. She didn't stop there and was president of many organizations throughout her life including Wind Ridge Missionary Society, Ross Hill Garden Club, West Greene PTA, and Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees Greene County chapter.

Community service was a big part of Martha's legacy. She was a Greene County Farm Bureau board member and newsletter editor, Pennsylvania State Sunday School Association's “Honor Board of Directors” and Greene County Sunday School Association Board member.

As a mother, Martha loved her children and all of her extended family deeply. She happily hosted family holiday dinners and gatherings. She will be fondly remembered for her participation in family games and all the “memories” she made. Above all, Martha loved God and through her example of Bible study, prayer habits, and daily living, her family and many others came to know God.

Surviving are her five children, Myleen (Phillip) McCollum of Sycamore, Melinda (companion Melvin Allhouse) Huffman of Jefferson, Marcia Sonneborn of West Finley, Mark (Charlotte) McMillen of West Finley, and Melanie (Bernie) Lauer of Damascus, Maryland; nine grandchildren, Seann McCollum, Mikayla Sonneborn, Christy (Barry) Barbe, Joel McMillen, Sylvia (Barry) Cline, Daniel (Joanna) McMillen, Adam Lauer, Seth (Christiam) Lauer, and Jared (Dana) Lauer; six great grandchildren, Julia (Eric) Johnson, Hannah McCollum, Willow and Selah Cline, Evan and Avery McMillen; one great great grandson, Camden Johnson.

Deceased are her husband Max B. McMillen, an infant grandson, Eric McMillen; three brothers, Raymond Calvin Wickard, Jr, George J. Wickard, and Robert Leon Wickard.

Friends and family will be received 2-8PM, Friday, July 10, 2026 at the Kesterson Funeral Home, 3275 Roy Furman Hwy, Rogersville, PA. There will also be visitation Saturday, July 11, 2026 from 10:00-11:00 AM prior to the celebration of life service at 11:00 AM in the Harmony Presbyterian Church, 114 Rush Road, Wind Ridge, PA. Pastors Mark McMillen and Linda Shaw will be officiating. Interment will be at the Bethany Cemetery in Jackson Township.

Memorial contributions can be made to Harmony Presbyterian Church of Wind Ridge or Alzheimer's Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter.