Submitted by: Dan Rich

Martha Eliza Van Overberghe

June 1, 1911 -- Aug. 13, 2005

South Bend Tribune 8/15/2005

Martha E. Van Overberghe, 94,  died peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 13, in St. Paul's Healthcare Center where she had been for the last two weeks. Martha was born to Henry and Marie (Roedsens) Matthys on June 1,1911, in South Bend. She attended Five Points School and Central High School. On April 16, 1932, she married Henry E. Van Overberghe and they were married for 67 years, until his passing on June 20, 1999. Martha was a longtime member of Our Lady of Hungary Church and its St. Anne's Society. Predeceasing Martha were three sisters, Mary Matthys, Angela Van Overberghe, Margaret DeNeve, and five brothers, Maurice Matthys, Cyriel Matthys, Achiel (Art) Matthys, Rene Matthys and Raymond Matthys. She was also predeceased by one grandchild, Robert N. DeGraff Jr.; and one great-grandchild, Christopher Barreto. In 1956, Martha began working for Robertson's Department Store until her mandatory retirement in 1976. She then worked for The Pretzel Palace and Diggie's Hot Dogs 'n More in Downtown South Bend. Survivors include her three children, Eleanor (Robert N.) DeGraff of South Bend, Virginia (Eugene M.) Kelly of Springfield, Ill., and Mary Lou (Carl) Egyhazi of South Bend; ten grandchildren, Michael (Tamar) DeGraff of Monroe, Wash., Renee DeGraff of Tipp City, Ohio, Andrea DeGraff of South Bend, Marty (Julie) DeGraff of Lexington, Ky., Brian Kelly and Kevin Kelly of Springfield, Ill., Eileen (Richard) Orban of Zionsville, Ind., Philip Egyhazi of Fort Wayne, Ind., Paula (Rey) Barreto of New Carlisle, Ind., and Terry Egyhazi of South Bend; and seven great-grandchildren, Malchijah DeGraff, Zachary DeGraff, Max DeGraff, Emma Kelly, Kelly Orban, Kara Orban and Angela Barreto.