Obituary of Ramonia Gloria Martinez

Ramonia Gloria Martinez (Garcia) was born on December 31, 1947 in Kerrville, Texas. She was born to the union of Santos Garcia and Sarah E. (Espinosa) Bijarro. Ramonia attended Mason High School in Erie, Michigan and although she never graduated from high school she would enroll at Monroe County Community College and in 2005 she would receive her GED, an accomplishment Ramonia was very proud of herself for achieving. Ramonia loved her many years on the job as a bus aide for the Monroe County Intermediate School District.

On November 12, 1966 Ramonia married the love of her life; Mr. Abelardo “Lalo” Martinez, whom she had known since the age of fourteen. Together they enjoyed fifty-five years of marriage and were blessed with two beautiful daughters; Michelle and Oralia “Lolly” Martinez.  Ramonia was the President of the Northwestern Ohio Motorcycle Association District 12,  secretary of the Black Hawks of Ohio and Michigan Motorcycle Club and the Glass City Motorcycle Club.  Ramonia was one to never sit still. If she wasn’t with her husband traveling West on Route 66 through the Dakotas then South into Mexico or East to New York she could be found trying her luck on the slot machines at Hollywood Casino and many others in Ohio and Michigan. Ramonia also loved scrapbooking with her family and friends. She loved shopping at Kohl’s, JcPenney’s, Macy’s and Dillards, but always found enjoyment of shopping at Sam’s Club, Walmart and Kroger’s and riding the scooters. Every year in July Ramonia and Lalo would take a two weeklong excursion to Northern Michigan, crossing the Mackinac Bridge and through the upper peninsula into Sault Ste. Marie.  The Martinez family would attend flea markets in Dayton, Ohio every year in search of tools and antiques where Lalo would give each grandchild $20.00 to spend.

Ramonia Gloria Martinez, age 75 of Erie, Michigan passed away Wednesday May 17, 2023 at her home surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren and under the care of ProMedica Hospice. Her passing was preceded by her parents; Santos and Sarah Bijarro; her husband; Abelardo “Lalo” Martinez; five brothers; Henry, Manuel, Tony, Ray and Rueben and her granddaughter; Brittany Laws.

To cherish her memory she leaves behind her two daughters; Michelle (Brad) Queen of Erie, Michigan and Oralia “Lolly” (Donald) Smith of Erie, Michigan; three sisters; Nancy, Beatrice and Margie, all of Texas; four brothers; John of LaSalle, Michigan, Dino of Oregon, Ohio, and  Robert and Rudy, of Texas; grandchildren; Andrea (Matt)Jessmon, Desiree (Ryan) Koza, Ronnie Queen, and DJ (Erin)Smith Jr; great grandchildren; Thomas, Ava and Addison Jessmon, Brandon Lee Milletti and Rylee, Talan and Kylee May Smith.

Friends may gather on Saturday June 10, 2023 from 11:00am to 4:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service 9156 Summit Street Erie, Michigan 48133. (734)317-7199. A Celebration of Ramonia’s Life will be held at 4:00pm also at Merkle’s with Pastor Stephen Reese, officiating. Cremation has taken place through the on-site crematory, Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan.  The family of Mrs. Martinez would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to all the nurses from the ProMedica Hospice for their loving care and compassion they showed the family and their mother during their difficult time.

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