Joan R. Byler Martin, 68, of New Wilmington, died Wednesday morning at her home.

Born Feb. 25, 1939, in Corry, she was the daughter of H. Russell and Alice Irene Leacock Byler.

Mrs. Martin retired from Slippery Rock High School after teaching English for 34 years. She was a graduate of Wilmington High School and a 1961 graduate of Grove City College.

She was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma English honorary society and was formerly involved with the Republican Women.

Amember of Neshannock Presbyterian Church, she enjoyed gardening.

Mrs. Martin is survived by her husband Thomas C. Martin of New Wilmington, whom she married June 10, 1961. Also surviving are a daughter, Susan M. Chase and her husband Mark of New Wilmington, and three grandchildren, Thomas Chase, Craig Chase and Kathie Chase.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Russell C. Byler.

<B>Martin</B> — Friends of Joan R. Martin who died Wednesday, June 27, 2007, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. today at <B>Smith Funeral Home</B>, 310 W. Neshannock Ave., New Wilmington. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Neshannock Cemetery in New Wilmington.