MANSFIELD: Kindness, generosity, and a caring nature all describe Maxine Oswalt. She gladly shared these gifts with her family, friends and neighbors. Having a genuine concern for others, Maxine chose to invest in those she loved the most.
Maxine Oswalt, age 99, passed away Monday morning, January 15, 2024 at home surrounded by her loving family, just 6 days shy of her 100th birthday.
The daughter of Jay and Hilda (Bemiller) Baker, Maxine was born January 21, 1924 in Mansfield. A senior in high school, she moved from Mansfield Senior High School, to Union High School where she graduated in 1941. On April 19, 1947 Maxine married Lee Oswalt. Selfless in her actions, Maxine’s focus was on raising her three daughters and working alongside Lee on their Weller Township Farm. Often Maxine would work the fields, drive the tractor and trucks and do whatever was needed. Somehow, she still managed to have a full, home cooked meal ready for dinner. She was organized and detailed….she was a businesswoman. Where Lee worked on the farm, Maxine managed the accounting and bookkeeping. The two made for a great team.
To local neighbors, family, and friends, Maxine’s house was known as “The Store.” Everyone knew they could stop by “the store” anytime ingredients were needed for a meal, a bandage was essential for an emergency, or a simple canning lid needed to be borrowed. She even began buying essential items to have on hand just for those occasions!
She spent so many evenings and weekends supporting grandkids and great grandkids at softball, baseball, and volleyball matches. She wouldn’t have missed it for the world. She enjoyed watching the Cleveland Indians and Cavs.
Maxine was a member of Franklin United Methodist Church where she served as church treasurer. She was also a member of the Richland County Farm Bureau.
She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law Ruth & Jake Layfield and Linda & Jim Stine all of Mansfield and Beverly & Jerry Koehler of Southport, NC; grandchildren Beth & Matt Pfeiffer, Amy Stine, Scott Smith; great grandchildren Rachel Pfeiffer, Ryan Pfeiffer, Chloe Smith, Cohen Smith and Cash Smith; sister Shirley Boyce; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and neighbors.
She was preceded in death by her husband Lee Oswalt; sisters Jen Oswalt and Mabel Saunier.
Maxine’s family will receive friends, Saturday, January 20, 2024 from 9 am – 11 am in the Finefrock Chapel of the Marion Avenue Snyder Funeral Home where her funeral service will begin at 11 am. Family friend and neighbor, Judy Ringler will officiate and burial will follow in Franklin Cemetery.
Contributions in her memory may be made to Franklin Township Firefighters Association, PO Box 5209, Mansfield, Ohio 44901.
To view Maxine’s tribute video or to leave an online condolence friends may visit: SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Home
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com