Maxine Zerkel

Maxine Zerkel Died March 20, 2013 TRAVERSE CITY — Maxine Shindledecker Zerkel, 93, passed away Wednesday, March 20, 2013, at Munson Hospice House. Maxine was born Sept. 6, 1919, to Perry A. and Caroline Roeder Shindledecker in Lima, Ohio. She married Ervin W. Zerkel on Oct. 19, 1946; he preceded her in death on Jan. 20, 1994. She graduated from Shawnee High School in Lima in 1937 and after worked for Westinghouse assembling small engines. During World War II, Maxine and Ervin were longtime pen-pals while he served in the Civilian “Pineapple” Corps at Hickam Field in Honolulu. When he returned home, the two married and were loving parents to two daughters, Dianna and Lisa. Maxine’s favorite color was red and she was known to wear the brightest shade of red lipstick with nail polish to match. As a young woman, she loved to roller skate and never missed a night at the local roller rink for three years straight. Maxine and Ervin were proud parents and especially grandparents. They were known to travel cross-country to attend a school grandparent’s day celebration and took every opportunity to tell their loved ones how much they meant to them. She was an excellent seamstress, decorated lovely cakes and was proud of the blue ribbons she won for cross-stitch at the Allen County Fair. Maxine was an avid sports fan, especially basketball and baseball, and always had a neatly folded sports listing next to her recliner. Her constant companion and best friend, Peanut, sat on her lap for hours at a time, watching whatever game happened to be on television. She was a member of Shawnee United Methodist Church of Lima and the Trinity 0rder of Eastern Stars #16. She and Ervin were volunteers for the Shriner Hospital for Children and made hundreds of trips escorting children from the Detroit area to the hospital in Chicago. Maxine lived her final year in Traverse City to be near her daughter, making many new friends at The Village at Bay Ridge. Her family is indebted to Grand Traverse Pavilions and Munson Hospice House for the kind and loving care they provided in her last weeks. She is survived by her daughters, Dianna (Dan) Reusch, of Carbondale, Ill., and Lisa (Jim) Perkins, of Traverse City; grandchildren, Traci Garrison, Matthew McCall, Maggie Perkins, Kaitlin Perkins and Sean Perkins; sister-in-law, Ruth Shindledecker, of Lima; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, parents and by her brother, Gene Shindledecker. A memorial service will be held in Lima later this year. Donations in Maxine’s name can be given to Munson Hospice House, c/o Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation, 210 Beaumont Street, Traverse City, MI 49684 or Community United Methodist Church at Shawnee, Family Promise Fund, 2600 Zumerhly Road, Lima, OH 45806. Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with the family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. Arrangements are being handled by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Traverse City.

Maxine Zerkel

September 6, 1919 - March 20, 2013