Martha Nell Deardorff

Martha Nell (Miller) Deardorff passed peacefully on July 5, 2026 in Mooresville, Indiana. Marty, as most knew her, was born on October 22, 1936 in Hartford, Connecticut to Julius and Leonora Miller.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles F. Deardorff; and brothers, David Miller and Edward Miller.

She will be missed by family and friends including sisters, Judith (Aaron Katz) Miller and Dorothy (James) Cobb; four children, Rose Stephens, Dorothy “Dottie” (Mark) Outcalt, Charles (Ellen) Deardorff, and Florence “Flo” (Michael) Straugh; eight grandchildren, Brad Stephens, Adrienne Stephens, Stephen (Jessica) Outcalt, Estee (Sean) Denbo, Hannah (Justin) Long, Grace (John) Goff, Danielle Deardorff, and Anthony Straugh; and nine great grandchildren, Collin Stephens, Aleks Stephens, Elanor Outcalt, Bella Denbo, Lillian Denbo, Cassidy Long, Henry Long, Owen Goff, and Leah Goff.

Marty grew up in the northeast. She graduated from Little Flower High School in Philadelphia. She received her 2-year R.N. degree from St. Elizabeth and became a First Lieutenant Army Nurse. While stationed at Fort Benjamin Harrison, she met Charles F. Deardorff. They married in 1960 and had four children by 1964. Marty earned her master’s degree in nursing and had worked in several hospitals. Marty taught nursing at IUPUI and created the nursing curriculum for Warren Central High School. She worked at Central State as an Administrator, as well as for the Indiana State Board of Health. Marty retired from the Center for Disease Control at the Roudebush Veterans Affairs Hospital in Indianapolis.

After retirement and becoming a widow, Marty married Clark Jackson in 2004. She gained several more bonus children and grandchildren. She loved going to water aerobics, out to eat, attending church, joining Bible studies, and listening to Christian music. She attended First Church of the Nazarene in Indianapolis and Grace Church in Mooresville for several years, and many other churches while traveling. Peyton, the large Golden Retriever, was like their child and a brother to her children. Marty also enjoyed traveling and cruises with Clark until he passed in 2020. More recently, she had enjoyed meeting her new great grandchildren and their pets too. Most importantly, she knew the Lord, and had placed her trust in Him as her Savior.

Marty’s earthly remains have been cremated. She will be laid to rest alongside her late husband, Clark Jackson, in Crown Hill National Cemetery Columbarium Annex in Indianapolis.

The obituary was lovingly prepared by the family.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory. Visit www.carlislebranson.com to sign the online guest registry or to leave a condolence.