Martha "Tootie" Harley, age 56, a resident of Glen Ellyn, IL, died January 9, 2014, at Bellwood Developmental Center in Bellwood, Illinois. She was born November 9, 1957 in Detroit, Michigan to Herbert and Ruby Harley.

Tootie was the youngest of five children. She grew up in Detroit and attended Detroit public schools. In spite of Tootie's Down Syndrome she was a blessing to everyone she met. She was an active member of the Stars Ministry at College Church in Wheaton. Tootie was quick to give a bear hug and she enjoyed playing the piano and singing her favorite music. Traveling with family members was something she looked forward to. Her nieces and nephews always remember playing with Tootie as they were growing up.

She is survived by her siblings, Linda (Jim) Doty of Lehigh Acres, Florida, Hagan Lee Harley of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Glen Harley of Saranac, Michigan, and Carole (John) LaRue of Glen Ellyn, 10 nieces and nephews, and 16 great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 11, from 2:30 until 4:00 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St. in Wheaton, where a funeral service will be held at 4:00 P.M. Interment will be held privately at Wheaton Cemetery in Wheaton, Illinois.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Advocate Charitable Foundation for Adult Down Syndrome, or the Stars Ministry at College Church.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.