Everyone has a story. They are all unique. This is the very incomplete but special story of Emilie Maxine Van Buskirk, 87 of Marion, who passed away on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. Maxine was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother and aunt of a very blessed family.
Daughter of Paul Alexander and Jenny May Alexander, Maxine, as most knew her, was born on February 22, 1935, one of a set of fraternal twins. Growing up she lived in Meeker, Marseilles, and Marion and graduated from Meeker High School, as it was known then.
Sister to 6 siblings, John Alexander, Patricia (Sam) Nagy, Delores Jean (James) Brown, Effie Pauline (Richard) Johnson her twin, each preceding her in death, and her surviving siblings Daniel (Arlene) Alexander and Linda Jo (Jim) Land, Maxine was very family oriented and held close ties to each.
Wife to her high school sweetheart, Gary Allen Van Buskirk, they were in love from the start and married on July 28th, 1952 for almost 70 years.
Maxine and Gary raised 5 children in their lives together, and all reside in Ohio. She was mother to Christie (James) Thompson, Jill (Steve) Cooper, Jennifer (Tom) Tucker, Paula (Phil) Wright, and Gary (Jessica) Van Buskirk, all raised to believe they could accomplish “anything you put your mind to”.
Maxine was grandmother to 11 grandchildren including Angela (James) Lehman, Douglas Paul Arnold, Casey (Johnny) Fortuno, Jennifer (Mike) Robinson, Andrew Martin, Sarah Cooper, Jessica (Gregg) Stephens, Julie (Grayson) Pittman, Philip (Laura) Wright, Nicholas Van Buskirk and Nathan Van Buskirk. (Grandson Douglas Paul Arnold preceded her in death).
As a great grandmother, Maxine was blessed to have 19 great grandchildren and step grandchildren. (Great granddaughter Skylar Van Buskirk preceded her in death).
Maxine was also blessed to have 4 great great grandchildren and step great great grandchildren. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.
She had a huge loving family that had long ago outgrew any of the family’s single homes for family get togethers on holidays and special occasions that anyone hated to miss, as they were very fun and festive affairs.
After the birth of her children Maxine returned to school and earned her degree as a medical assistant and then spent 17 years at the Smith Clinic in that capacity for Dr. Ruiz and Dr. Sabag. Her many other interests included reading, history, politics, gardening, and creating a warm and welcoming home for her family. She loved learning, and at different points in her life she took lessons in dance, piano and even upholstery. She also loved her little pets.
She enjoyed traveling and took road trips across the country and up and down both coasts. She and Gary also visited Germany and Cancun, Mexico several times.
Emilie Maxine Van Buskirk leaves an enormous legacy. She was a member of the Meeker United Methodist Church, 6400 Harding Hwy West, Marion, Ohio 43302, and any contributions to the church in her memory will be welcomed.
Visiting hours at Boyd Funeral Home will be held on Friday, April 22, 2022 from 6pm to 8pm. Services will be held at Meeker United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 23, 2022 starting at 11am followed by burial at the Frame Cemetery in Meeker.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Wyndmoor of Marion for their kindness and caring.
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