(Posted April 7, 2015)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
The London community has lost one of its most dedicated civic leaders.
Dr. Martha Geib, 49, died unexpectedly on April 5. She was a daughter of James and Nancy Smith, also of London.
Geib was a pediatrician on the medical staff at Madison Health and had practiced pediatrics in London since 1999. She also was a member of the London City Schools board of education.
“We’re all deeply saddened by the news. It’s a great loss not only to the medical community but to the community as a whole,” said Dr. Mitchell Spahn, chairman of the obstetrics and pediatrics department at Madison Health. “Martha was a dear friend and great physician. She truly practiced the art of medicine… She gave great care to her patients, and her record on community involvement is well known. She will be sorely missed.”
Geib was a member of the local Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Advisory Board. She also served on the Madison County Health Partners board, which runs the Free Clinic, and chaired the Infectious Disease Committee.
Her dedication to children and education took many forms. As a mother of three children, she was active on parent organizations at the Presbyterian Child Care Center and at elementary, middle and high school levels at London City Schools. She was in her sixth year as a member of the London City Schools board of education, for which she had previously served as president.
“Martha was a bundle of energy when it came to the loyalty she had to this community and to the schools,” said London City Schools Superintendent Tom Ben. “I once asked her how she managed her time. She just rolled her eyes and said, ‘Yeah, I’m a little busy at times.’ And she maintained that day after day after day.”
In addition to her parents, Geib is survived by her husband, Marshall Geib, daughter, Eleanor, sons, Clayton and Richard, and in-laws, Richard and Mary Anne Geib. She was preceded in death by her brother, James Smith, and sister, Jennifer Bormann.
Calling hours are set for 4 to 8 p.m. April 10 at First Presbyterian Church, 211 Garfield Ave., London, where a funeral service will be celebrated at 11 a.m. April 11 with the Rev. Gordon Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in Range Township Cemetery, Sedalia. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Rader-Lynch & Dodds Funeral Home & Cremation Service, London.
OBITUARY – MARTHA GEIB M.D.
Martha Ellen Geib M.D., 49, of London, died April 5, 2015, in her residence. Martha was born on July 14, 1965, in London, a daughter of James Thomas and Nancy Anne (Morrison) Smith. She was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church, London. She was inducted into the London High School Athletic Hall of Fame and played collegiate volleyball at Muskingum College. She graduated from London High School as valedictorian and graduated summa cum laude from Muskingum University.
She received her doctorate of medicine from The Ohio State University in 1991 and completed her residency in pediatrics at New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center in New York in 1994. She completed a fellowship in ambulatory pediatrics at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y., in 1996. Dr. Geib was board certified in pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics since 1994. After completing her formal training, she practiced pediatrics at the Kitsap Children’s Clinic while her husband was stationed at the naval shipyard in Bremerton, Wash. Dr. Geib returned to London in 1999 to practice pediatrics.
An active advocate for children in the community, Dr. Geib was a member of the London City Schools board of education and the WIC Advisory Board. She also served on the Madison County Health Partners Board and chaired the Infectious Disease Committee. As a mother to three children, Dr. Geib was active with parent organizations supporting the Presbyterian Child Care Center, London Elementary School, London Middle School, and London High School.
Survivors include her loving husband, Marshall Geib, whom she married June 15, 1991; daughter, Eleanor Gail Geib; sons, Clayton James Geib and Richard James Geib; her parents, of London; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Richard and Mary Anne Geib of Fort Meyers, Fla.; cousins, nieces, and nephews, including Danielle Smith, Ryan Smith, and Jasmin Bormann. A multitude of friends and colleagues.
Martha was preceded in death by her brother, James Donald Smith and sister, Jennifer Marie Bormann.
The family invites friends to call at First Presbyterian Church, 211 Garfield Ave., London, April 10 from 4-8 p.m., where a funeral service will be celebrated April 11 at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Gordon Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in the Range Township Cemetery, Sedalia.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Presbyterian Church, London; Madison Health Foundation; or the London High School Academics Achievement Boosters.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Rader-Lynch & Dodds Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 124 E. High St., London.
