Terre Haute – local Indiana Division of Family and Children (“DCS”) Trial Attorney and former
Terre Haute Family Law Trial Attorney Rae Elaine Martin, 54 yrs. old, of Terre Haute, Indiana and
formerly of Rockville, Indiana, died unexpectedly from heart complications on Friday, December
08, 2023, at or about 11:00 A.M., in her residence. Rae was the beloved daughter of the late Cora
Jane Martin, who preceded her in death on May 22, 2004.
Rae’s mother, Jane, was the youngest of ten (10) children born to the late Robert Ewing “Runt”
Martin and Sylvia Laverne Call Martin, which includes: Manford Gerald “Gerald” Martin + (Mary
Ann Cicharz Martin+); Virginia Lois Martin Morgan+ (Veon Morgan, Jr.+); Hilda “June” Martin
Thomas+ (John E. Thomas+); Martha “Marty” E. Martin Livengood+ (Dale Livengood+); Treva
“Trudy” Louise Martin Smith (Bruce Talbot Smith+); Barbara “Barbie” Ann Martin Medley+
(Harold Richard Medley+); Robert Ernest “Ernie” Martin (Doris Martin+); Charles “Charlie” Ewing
Martin+ (Jeanette “Nettie” F. Martin); Rosemary Martin Fortner+ (Roger Ray Fortner+); including
Uncle Ernie, Aunt Trudy and Aunt Nettie, Rae enjoyed many first cousins, including Jerry’s
children: Robert Larry Martin+ (Carol Hos), Michael “Mike” Martin+ (Charlotte), Joanna Martin
Woodward (Bill); Virginia’s children: Pamela June Morgan Malbrough, Lori Kay Morgan
Perlman, Mary Virginia Morgan Byrd; June’s children: Gloria Jean Thomas Pilkington, Sandra
“Sandy” Laverne Thomas James (Bill+), Martin Edward “Pete” Thomas+; Martha’s children: Brian
Lee Livengood (Chrissy), Timothy “Tim” Dale Livengood, Debra Ann Livengood Anweiler (Bill),
Sue Ellen Livengood Kennedy (Eubank); Trudy’s children: Cathryn Sylvia Smith Whitaker (Lee);
Scott Bruce Smith (Kelly); Charlie’s children: Charles Richard Martin (Angel), Jennifer Martin
Kwiatek (Brad); Ernie’s children: Syliva Diane Martin Bennett, Rosa Lee Martin Freeland;
Barbie’s children: Sharon Ann Medley D’Amico, Duane Richard Medley+ (Rhonda), Robert
Harold Medley (Lisa) and Teresa Diane Medley+; Rosemary’s children: Andrew J. Fortner
(Carrie), Leslie Ann Fortner Hawkins (Brian), Rebecca “Becky” Fortner Hasani; and many second
and third cousins, too numerous to mention, however, Rae enjoyed special bonds with Deanna
Pilkington, Brittney Pilkington Miller, Tonya Pilkington, Jodie Lynn Pilkington; in addition to Rae’s
biological family, Rae enjoyed her putative family which includes Kristine “Kris” Marie Allen and
her children: Jordan Mathew Smith (Christopher Michael Smith), Jerrad Levi Tucker (Katherine
“Katie” McCollough), Krislynn Brooke Tucker Sedletzeck (Jacob James Sedletzeck), Kierstyn Shaye
Allen Gregg (Jacob Gregg), Keaton Parker Allen; putative grandchildren: Jordan’s children:
Charlie, Mya Raeann, Collan, Carrick; Jerrad’s children: Ember, Jenson; Krislynn’s children:
Blakelynn, Simon, Langston; Kierstyn’s children: Annistyn; her Ellis Law family: Michael
Thomas Ellis, Pamela Sue Ellis, Kaleel M. Ellis III (Christine), Anju Patel (Prakash), Lori Manley
(Gary), Maria David, Sara Brown (Garth), John D. Pierce (Mary), Jennifer Turner (Jeremiah), Mary
Helen Ellis (Kaleel+), Julie Kay Lake, Jason R. Lake, Aric Wisbey, Jason Domke, Grant E. Rhoten
(Lara), Sam Shahadey, Jr., Mike Simler, Erica Wright (Jason), Aaron Rodgers, many close friends:
Mary Stites Pierce, Nancy Webster, Joanna Bollinger, Chonda Beach, Kit Kincade, Lin Dunigan,
Ehren Lohrmann, Sonny Rooney, Julie Agnew, Seth Recknor, Lucy Blackie, Leigh Ann Pandora,
many family law colleagues: including Hon. Phillip I. Adler, Hon. Christopher A. Newton, Hon.
Daniel W. Kelly, Hon. Sarah K. Mullican, Hon. Lakshmi Reddy, Hon. Michael J. Lewis, Hon.

Matthew A. Sheehan, Hon. Samuel A. Swaim, Hon. Bruce Stengel, Steve A. Cvengros, Kevin
Stalker, Jacob H. Miller, Caitlin King Miller, Megan N. Iliff, Eric M. Abel, Blake W. Reed, Peter
J. Sacopulos, Tracy M. Weber, Misty Y. McDonald, Karen R. Swopes, Noah L. Gambill, Marsha
L. Bahr, Johnny E. Vaughn, Jr., in addition, Rae leaves her cherished fur babies: Bindy+, Pippa and
Fleetwood.
Rae attended Rockville Elementary School, Rockville Jr. High School and Rockville High School,
graduating as Valedictorian in May 23, 1987. After high school, Rae attended Franklin College and
on May 04, 1991, Rae graduated Summa Cum Laude, with majors in English and Communications
and while at Franklin, Rae studied abroad for one year Harlaxton University, Harlaxton, England.
After college, Rae attended Valparaiso University School of Law and graduated with High Honors
on May 15, 1994. On October 31, 1994, Rae was admitted to the Indiana Supreme Court Roll of
Attorneys and became the first attorney in their family. At the time of her death, Rae was a Trial
Attorney for the Indiana Division of FamilyServices (commonly known as “DCS”), located in Terre
Haute, Indiana, where she had been employed since December 01, 2022. From August 23, 1995,
until her retirement on October 31, 2022. Rae was employed as a Complex Family Law Trial
Attorney (nearly 28 yrs.) at Ellis Law Offices located in Terre Haute, Indiana, Rae was never
married and although she had no biological children, Rae helped raise several cousins, nieces,
nephews, putative children and grandchildren during her lifetime. Rae enjoyed a vibrant extended
family that included biological family, putative family and her work family. Throughout the years,
Rae served as Judge Pro Temp for several courts in Vigo County and surrounding counties.
Rae’s career continued the legacy of her mother, Jane, who as the Parke County Division of Family
and Children’s Case Manager for many years. At the time of Rae’s passing, she worked for the same
agency in Vigo County. In another bit of synchronicity, Rae helped her best friend, Mary Stites
Pierce, obtain her first job, and Mary helped Rae obtain her last job.
Rae was a fierce CourtRoom litigator and was dedicated to helping low-income and grieving parents
regain and/or maintain custody of their children, underscoring her commitment to the concept of
family and to the protection of children. Rae will be greatly missed by all of those who had the
pleasure of meeting her. May her memory remain forever eternal!
Per Rae’s wishes, Rae was cremated on December 13, 2023, and a Celebration of Life will be held
on Sunday, February 11, 2024, from 2:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M., at St. George Social Center,
located at 1900 S. 4 Street, Terre Haute, IN 47802, with light food and refreshment services being th
provided. Rae’s Graveside Services and Internment will be held on Tuesday, February 13, 2024,
at 11:00 A.M., Rae’s 55 Birthday, in Memory Garden Cemetery located at 503 Rockville Rd., th
Rockville, IN 47872, with a luncheon to follow. In friends so desire, memorial contributions may
be made to the Parke-Vermillion County Humane Society, P.O. Box 293, IN 47966 or the Terre
Haute Humane Society, P.O. Box 3307, Terre Haute, IN 47803. Services were entrusted to Greiner
Funeral Home.

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