Jeffery "Jeff" Maxey

Jeffery L. “Jeff” Maxey, 66, of Dowagiac, passed away on Thursday, January 9, 2020, at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held graveside, at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 25, 2020, at Riverside Cemetery, 400 Riverside Dr. Dowagiac. Friends may visit with the family on Friday, January 24, 2020, from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St. Dowagiac. Memorial contributions in Jeff’s name may be made to the Dowagiac Conservation Club. Those wishing to sign Jeff’s Memory Book online may do so at www.clarkch.com. Jeff was born March 31, 1953, in Dowagiac, to Bill and Joan (Burger) Maxey. He graduated from Dowagiac Union High School in 1971. After high school, Jeff joined the United States Army and proudly served his country from 1972-1975. On February 13, 1982, he married Patricia “Pat” Johnson, a Dowagiac Middle School teacher. Jeff worked diligently as a rural letter carrier for the Dowagiac Post Office for over 34 years before his retirement in 2008. He loved football and was a devoted University of Michigan and Detroit Lions fan. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, golfing, playing cards, and was an avid deer hunter. He was a proud member of the Dowagiac Elks, Moose, and Conservation Clubs. Most of all, he loved spending time with his friends and family. Jeff is survived by his daughters, Julie (Shawn) Bell of Omaha, Nebraska and Alicia (Scott) Garrelts of Dowagiac; granddaughter, Aria Garrelts; siblings, Chris (Franny) Maxey of Dowagiac and Renee (Skip) Fiester of Pennsylvania; numerous nieces and nephews; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Pat Maxey, and his parents.