Maxine E. (McGuire) Stafford

Maxine E. Stafford, age 99, passed away Thursday morning, September 21, 2023 at Brethren Care Village Bradford House after living a long life centered around her faith and her family.

Maxine was born on June 20, 1924, south of Hayesville, OH, the third of four children of Harlan and Alma (Smith) McGuire. She graduated from Hayesville High School in 1942, then attended Columbus Bliss Business College, graduating in 1943. Her first post graduate job was in the office of Ashland Hess & Clark.

On April 19, 1947, Maxine married her high school sweetheart, William (Bill) Stafford at Ashland Trinity Lutheran Church after Bill had returned home from serving in WWII. They enjoyed a long 68-year marriage filled with traveling to 46 states and Europe, attending 18 of Bill’s 84th Infantry Railsplitter Reunions across the country, maintaining a big yard and garden, and hosting many family events and dinners.

Maxine later worked in the Ashland business offices of Anderson Investments and National Latex Company. She also used her secretarial and accounting skills to help Bill (Mifflin Twp. Clerk, Ashland Co.) type and record the monthly township meeting minutes for 44 years She was a Notary Public for many years and was an active member of the Mifflin Twp. Fire Department Auxiliary. Maxine had collected donations for the local Heart Fund Drive and the March of Dimes in her neighborhood and was a Mifflin Twp. Election Board Worker as well.

Maxine taught children’s Sunday School for several years. She was a tour guide at the Ashland County Historical Society. A Lutheran all her life, she had served as deaconess for the Altar Guild, arranging flowers like a pro. Maxine had many other talents and hobbies – antique furniture refinishing, sewing and quilting, needlework, tole painting and baking. In her long lifetime, she canned and froze thousands of quarts of fruits and vegetables, maintained many beautiful flower beds, created handmade gifts for many in her family, made thousands of popcorn balls with Bill and always had time for her family.

Maxine was a role model to her family. She fed the hobos who walked the Lincoln Highway past their home. She was a woman of faith and an encourager. She was a hugger and cared more for others than herself.

Maxine is survived by her three loving daughters, Marilyn Frank, Bev (Jim) Bouscher and Pam (Gary) Crawford. Her surviving grandchildren include David (Cori) Darr, Sarah (Jim) Shepherd, Scott (Lindsey) Frank, Matt (Kristi) Darr, Tiffany (Nick) Dunlap, Chantel Crawford, and Bruce (Tabitha) Crawford. Her extended family includes eighteen great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Maxine is preceded in death by her loving husband Bill, who died September 24, 2015; sisters Esther Bush and Nellie Glasener; brother Clayton McGuire; son-in-law Glenn Frank; grandsons Brian Crawford and Brandon Crawford; and great-grandson Bennett Dunlap.

Maxine’s funeral service will be Monday, September 25, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Ashland Trinity Lutheran Church with visitation from 9:30 a.m. to time of service. The service will be officiated by Pastor Kevin McClain.  Burial will be in Vermillion Cemetery at Hayesville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Maxine’s memory to Ashland Trinity Lutheran Church, Brethren Care Village-Bradford House, or Hospice of North Central Ohio.

The family of Maxine extends their sincere thanks to all Belmont Tower and Bradford House staff for their kind and compassionate care during her nearly five-year stay.

Fickes Funeral Home in Jeromesville assisted the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.fickesfuneralhome.com.

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