Virginia Grace Maxey

Virginia “Jinny” Grace Maxey, 92, of Dowagiac, passed away on Friday, December 22, 2017, at Woodland Terrace in Niles. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, December 28, 2017, at 11:00 AM, at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac, with Pastor Roger Gifford officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery Friends may visit with the family on Thursday at 10:00 AM, until time of service. Memorial contributions may be made to the great-grandchildren’s college fund in c/o Diane Hart. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.clarkch.com. Jinny was born on September 29, 1925, in Dowagiac to Clyde & Fern (Emmons) Reep. She graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1943. Jinny married Max Maxey in Dowagiac on October 4, 1947. She assisted Max in building their home together in Burmax Park. Jinny was the face of the Dowagiac Area Chamber of Commerce and retired in 1988 after 24 years of service to her community. In 1982, she was awarded the Chamber of Commerce Service Award. Jinny was also awarded the Elks Distinguished Citizen Award in 1978-1979. Jinny loved to knit, read and spend time with her family. She was a charter and former member of The Town and Country Garden Club.  She was also a member of the Omega Chapter of the Beta Gamma Upsilon Sorority, Junior Arts Club, and Lee Memorial Hospital Auxiliary (Borgess). Jinny is survived by her daughter, Diane (Ron) Hart of Buchanan; grandchildren, Todd (Melissa) Hart of East Grand Rapids and Melissa (Gandalf) Church of St. Joseph; and great-grandchildren, Henry & Samuel Church and Molly Hart. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Max.