Maxine Greathouse

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NORTH VERNON

Maxine Greathouse of North Vernon passed from this life at home on the 20th day of November 2017 in the presence of family and friends. Her death concluded a life lasting 95 years that was complete, robust and wonderful.

Maxine was born Oct. 12, 1922, the second daughter of Archie and Genny Nicholson. She grew up in Reddington, raised by a single mother under less-than-modest financial circumstances during the years of the Great Depression but blessed with a wonderful family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and two wonderful sisters, Kate Cummings and Genevieve Ruddick. She graduated from Seymour High School in 1940. Following graduation, she was employed at the former woolen mill for several years up to the breakout of World War II.

She then met and fell madly in love at first sight with Harold “Gabby” Greathouse of North Vernon.

They married, and together, they were blessed with the birth of and raised five children, namely: Judy (Joe) Eder; Donna (Howard) Malan; Larry (Julie) Greathouse; Jimmy Greathouse, whose has previously passed and was married to Phoebe Greemann at the time of his passing; and Susan “Pud” (Kevin) Beal. These children begat 15 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren, all of whom adored and were adored by “Gramma Max.”

Gabby was a partner with his brother, Don, and they operated J.R. Greathouse and Sons Hardware for several decades during which they were ably assisted by their wives, Maxine and Mary. Son Jimmy eventually became the proprietor and operated the store until he passed. Following their retirement, Maxine and Gabby operated a booth for many years at the Seymour Antique Mall.

An avid member of the “swing generation,” she and Gabby wore out many shoes dancing to the tunes of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and others of that era. She loved playing golf and competing at the bridge table with her many bridge friends. Quite the hobbyist, she was an avid oil painter, knitter, seamstress, gardener and collector of antiques.

She was a member of First Baptist Church of North Vernon. Other organizations she participated in were Delta Theta Tau sorority, Seymour Elks Club, North Vernon Country Club and was a “Queen Bee” of her Red Hats group during the autumn of her life.

She will be sorely missed by friends and family. Another of the “Greatest Generation” joining others in the hereafter.

Those wishing to make a memorial in lieu of flowers may contribute to the Missions Committee at First Baptist Church of North Vernon.

The funeral service will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24 at Sawyer-Pickett Funeral and Cremation Service in North Vernon with Bob Ochs officiating. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until time of service Friday. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25 at Vernon Cemetery.

Friends are invited to light a candle or leave a message of condolence in Mrs. Greathouse’s memory at sawyerfuneralservice.com.

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Maxine Greathouse

NORTH VERNON

Maxine Greathouse of North Vernon passed from this life at home on the 20th day of November 2017 in the presence of family and friends. Her death concluded a life lasting 95 years that was complete, robust and wonderful.

Maxine was born Oct. 12, 1922, the second daughter of Archie and Genny Nicholson. She grew up in Reddington, raised by a single mother under less-than-modest financial circumstances during the years of the Great Depression but blessed with a wonderful family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and two wonderful sisters, Kate Cummings and Genevieve Ruddick. She graduated from Seymour High School in 1940. Following graduation, she was employed at the former woolen mill for several years up to the breakout of World War II.

She then met and fell madly in love at first sight with Harold “Gabby” Greathouse of North Vernon.

They married, and together, they were blessed with the birth of and raised five children, namely: Judy (Joe) Eder; Donna (Howard) Malan; Larry (Julie) Greathouse; Jimmy Greathouse, whose has previously passed and was married to Phoebe Greemann at the time of his passing; and Susan “Pud” (Kevin) Beal. These children begat 15 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren, all of whom adored and were adored by “Gramma Max.”

Gabby was a partner with his brother, Don, and they operated J.R. Greathouse and Sons Hardware for several decades during which they were ably assisted by their wives, Maxine and Mary. Son Jimmy eventually became the proprietor and operated the store until he passed. Following their retirement, Maxine and Gabby operated a booth for many years at the Seymour Antique Mall.

An avid member of the “swing generation,” she and Gabby wore out many shoes dancing to the tunes of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and others of that era. She loved playing golf and competing at the bridge table with her many bridge friends. Quite the hobbyist, she was an avid oil painter, knitter, seamstress, gardener and collector of antiques.

She was a member of First Baptist Church of North Vernon. Other organizations she participated in were Delta Theta Tau sorority, Seymour Elks Club, North Vernon Country Club and was a “Queen Bee” of her Red Hats group during the autumn of her life.

She will be sorely missed by friends and family. Another of the “Greatest Generation” joining others in the hereafter.

Those wishing to make a memorial in lieu of flowers may contribute to the Missions Committee at First Baptist Church of North Vernon.

The funeral service will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24 at Sawyer-Pickett Funeral and Cremation Service in North Vernon with Bob Ochs officiating. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until time of service Friday. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25 at Vernon Cemetery.

Friends are invited to light a candle or leave a message of condolence in Mrs. Greathouse’s memory at sawyerfuneralservice.com.

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