Kathleen Barbara Martinez

Kathleen Barbara Martinez, 78, of Columbus passed away on January 13, 2026, in Brown County. Kathleen was born February 3, 1947, in Brown County, Indiana, the daughter of Albert “Pink” and Margaret Eleanor Seitz Ayers. Kathleen was a 1965 graduate of Brown County High School. In 1966 she joined the US Navy and traveled to Bainbridge, Maryland for her service to begin. This ultimately led her to Arcadia, California where she raised her three children. She moved back to Columbus, Indiana to be closer to family and worked for the City of Columbus as a police and fire dispatcher. She enjoyed a trip back East so much she eventually moved to Garland, Maine and was employed at the Mountain View Correctional Facility as an administrative assistant until her retirement. While in Maine, she enjoyed gardening, watching the deer and other wildlife. Kathleen also took pleasure in visiting different parts of Maine and Canada. After her retirement and the long Maine winters, she headed back to Columbus, Indiana. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Kathleen will be remembered for her tenacious grit in doing what she wanted to do in all areas of her life. She is survived by her sons Richard Martinez (Brian Cole) of Indianapolis and Jonathan Martinez (Jessie Deelo) of Boston, Massachusetts and daughter Christina (Kevin) Merritt of Columbus. She will be remembered by her four grandchildren, Easton Wright, Cianna Wright, Leo Martinez and Esme Martinez and step grandchildren Jared Cole and Corey Cole; sister, Patricia Ann (Benny) Bradley of Columbus, IN; sisters-in-law, Bonnie Ayers of Columbus, IN and Carolyn Ayers of Bartlesville, Oklahoma and her devoted cat, Sadie. She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Margaret Ayers; brothers, Allen Lee Ayers, Larry Neal Ayers and Denny Richard Ayers. Private graveside services will be held at Christiansburg Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Animal Care Services, Bartholomew County Humane Society or Our Hospice of South-Central Indiana. Arrangements were entrusted to Jewell-Rittman Funeral Service & Crematory