Martha Belle (Montgomery) Keck, age 82, of Clinton, Missouri passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at Westwood Living Center Clinton, MO. Visitation will be held Sunday, February 9, 2020 from 4PM to 6PM at Vansant-Mills Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held Monday, February 10, 2020 at 10:30AM at the Clinton Christian Church, Clinton, MO. The family suggest memorial contributions to The American Diabetes Association and may be left in care of the funeral home. Condolences and fond memories may be left at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com .

Martha was born February 8, 1937 to George Emmett Montgomery and Verna Anne (Hetherington) Montgomery in Clinton, MO, and was the sixth of seven siblings. She grew up in the Clinton area and was baptized in the First Christian Church. She graduated from Clinton High School in 1955. While in high school, she lettered in band playing the alto saxophone, and was in Future Homemakers of America.

In 1955, she married John Edgar Spackler, and they had three children, Kathleen Elizabeth, John Keith, and Kent Alan. The family lived in Clinton until 1962, when they moved to Springfield, MO. In 1964, John unexpectedly passed away from cancer, and Martha and her three young children returned to Clinton. Martha maintained a passion for her family, assisting in activities including Camp Fire Girls, Cub Scouts, and school events. She also enjoyed activities such as playing softball and bowling. In 1972, she married James Robert "Jim" Keck. The family worked together with Jim's late brother Scott on the farming operations that included dairy, row crops, and hay. Jim also served nearly 32 years as Henry County Assessor, and Martha worked in the office with Jim and the assessor's staff, never taking pay for her work. Throughout her life, Martha's passion was family, and she was a devoted wife who enjoyed her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. In her later years, she showed remarkable resilience despite numerous health challenges.

Martha is survived by her children, Kathy (Jim) Houk of Spring Hill, TN, Keith (Deb) Spackler of Waterloo, NE, and Kent Spackler of Clinton, MO, by five grandchildren Heather Ann Houk of Spring Hill, TN, Lauren Dawn (Michael) Weber of Spring Hill, TN, Steffany Jean (Marc) Chedel of Omaha, NE, Kelsey Colleen Spackler of Omaha, NE, and John Montgomery Spackler of Nashville, TN, and by four great-grandchildren, Ryan James and Kyle Anthony Weber of Spring Hill, TN, and Hartford Bruce and Vera Jean Chedel of Omaha, NE. She is also survived by her siblings Robert Thomas Montgomery, and Georgia Catherine (Paul) Ross, her sister-in-law Luwana Montgomery, and numerous nieces and nephews. Of special recognition is Nena Nichols who worked as a caregiver to Martha for several years.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, her husband James Robert Keck, and her siblings/ (spouses) Emmett Eugene (Betty) Montgomery, (Mary Ann) Montgomery, James Vernon Montgomery, Dorothy Ann (Robert) Bradley, and Franklin Dee (Patty) Montgomery.

Arrangement's have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, MO.