Martha "Mrs. R" Roudebush

Martha Ann “Mrs. R” Roudebush, 75 of Dennison passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side in Riverside Manor on March 16, 2023 after a brave battle during a period of declining health. 

Martha was born November 22, 1947 in Cambridge and was the daughter of the late Charles Frederick “Chuck” and Thelma Marie (Dyer) Glauser. She graduated from Gnadenhutten High School in 1965 and continued her formal education at Ohio University obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and then her Master’s degree in School Administration from Franciscan University.

On June 29, 1969, Martha married her loving and loyal husband, Philip (Phil) R. Roudebush. Together they were blessed with the birth of three daughters and 53 years of marriage.

Mrs. R (known by this nickname to thousands of parents and students in the Indian Valley community), was hired at Indian Valley in 1969 as a health and physical education teacher until 1999 when and then transitioned to Principal at Indian Valley High School. 

Not only was she a well-known IV staff member but Mrs. R gained fame across the state as a very demanding, competitive, successful and well-loved volleyball coach during her career. She was hired as the first girls’ volleyball coach at IV North in 1972. As a head coach there she had a career record of 309-47, had two state final four appearances in 1979 and 1981 and advanced her teams to regional play 12 years in a row. If you were lucky enough to play for her or compete against her one thing is for sure… Mrs. R. loved the game and loved her teams even more. The accolades continued during her coaching career by being named Inter Valley Conference Coach of the Year 3 times and was also inducted into the Ohio Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1990. Most recently, Mrs. R gained her highest recognition by being inducted as member of the inaugural class of the 2022 Tuscarawas County Sports Hall of Fame. Martha retired in 2009 after a 40 year career at Indian Valley. She was a face that everyone knew and loved and gave countless hours to those students who needed her most. She wasn’t just a coach, teacher and administrator she was a lady who wanted to make the lives of everyone who met her better.  Her love for her Indian Valley family continued as she was a founding member the Indian Valley Foundation. She toiled tirelessly to gather donations and seeing that hundreds of IV Seniors got scholarships they needed. She also sponsored her own scholarship each year to a female student who planned to pursue a career in education. 

Her other areas of interest included playing cards in many local clubs, bowling leagues and volunteering at Twin City Hospital. Her heart was one of the biggest there was and if you knew her you’ll agree. 

She leaves behind her supportive husband, Phil; devoted daughters Marcie Dryden of Gnadenhutten, Julie (Michael) Pappada of  Warren, OH, Stacie (Steve) Widder of  Salesville, OH; and her grandchildren Nathan Dryden and Bailey Knepper who were the joy of her world, and her adoring sister, Myra (Paul) Grace of Dennison. Martha is also survived by many nieces and nephews and extended family members as well as hundreds of loyal friends who visited and called and supported her during the last couple years while her health declined. 

Visitation for Mrs. R will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home and Crematory in New Philadelphia on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 from 4-7 p.m.

Everyone paying tribute to Mrs. R during visitation are invited to wear their Indian Valley Brave attire to show pride for the district that she devoted her entire life to. A service celebrating her life will be held in the Uhrichsville Christian Fellowship Church on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 11 a.m.

Burial will follow at Gnadenhutten-Clay Union Cemetery.

The family encourages anyone who wants to make a memorial contribution in Mrs. R’s honor should send it to :

IV Foundation, PO Box 171, Gnadenhutten, OH 44629.