Verna "Maxine" Rhoads was born on the family farm in Fork Twp., Mecosta County, Michigan; ½ mile north and 1 ½ miles west of Barryton, September 1, 1932. She was the fifth child born to Manual H. and Verna V. (Robinson) Rhoads. Maxine's paternal grandparents, Nathaniel J. and Margaret E. (Kinney) Rhoads, moved to Fork Township in 1886, part of a large group of related families, who came into the area from Fulton and Williams counties, Ohio beginning in 1882. There was no town of Barryton at that time. The area was simply known as Fork. In 1894, Dr. Frank Barry established the village of Barryton, Michigan. Maxine's father, Manuel Harlo Rhoads, was the sixth of seven (7) children born to "Nate" and "Ella" Rhoads. Ella was an herb doctor and midwife, who delivered more than one hundred (100) babies in the Barryton area between 1886 and 1932, the final one being her granddaughter, Maxine.

Maxine attended the Barryton Agricultural School through the 8th grade, later going back to school and completing some of her high school classes. She worked at the Dairy Bar in Barryton for a time. Then, as a young woman, moved to Big Rapids to work—as did many young women of her day. At twenty-four, she had the opportunity to go to Arizona. Possessing an independent, adventurous spirit, she seized the opportunity and moved to Mesa. There she met and married Billy Pogue. They had two (2) daughters, Jean A. "Jeannie" Pogue and Melody J. Pogue. Maxine later returned to Michigan to raise her daughters and was blessed to care for her great-nephew, Timothy C. Rizor, as a son. In time, she married Leo O. Richter of Garfield Township, Clare Co., Michigan. The couple settled in his home where Maxine lived for most of the next sixty-two years. Tragically, Leo was killed in a car accident just three years into their marriage. In the late 1960's she married Charles E. Webb. Maxine and "Chuck" had two (2) daughters, Valerie L. (Webb) Bronis and Karleen "Karla" K. (Webb) Domanski.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo Richter; her parents, Manuel and Verna Rhoads; her siblings, Thelma (Waldron) Goodwin, Neoma (Rhoads) Sprague, Marion (Rhoads) Holsinger, Nathaniel "Pete" Rhoads, Manuel "Junior" Rhoads, as well as her daughter, Valerie (Webb) Bronis and her grandson, Daniel Bronis.

She is survived by her three (3) daughters, Jean A. Pogue, Melody J. Pogue, and Karleen K. (Lee) Domanski; her son, Timothy C. (Sheila) Rizor; eight (8) grandchildren, Gabriel L. (Jaime) Doherty, Katrina R. (Femi) Kolawole, Amanda M. (Glen) Succaw, Holly M. Cupp, Maxwell J. Whitmore, Ivy L. (Jacob) Cook, Nathaniel J. (Holly) Bronis and David C. Bronis; twelve (12) great-grandchildren, Joslyn, Piper, and William Doherty, Thomas Kolawole, Jaydalyn Whitmore, Matthew, Michael, Mitchell, Mason, Marley, and Milo Cupp, Rachel Castaneda Whitmore, many nieces and nephews, and her numerous "adopted" family members.

Maxine had an extraordinary capacity for love, which she poured generously into the lives of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and countless other young people who crossed her path. Many affectionately called her 'Mom' or 'Grandma'—a true testament to the warmth, kindness, and care she extended to all.

She loved the Lord with all her heart and gently encouraged those around her to do the same. Her greatest desire was to spend eternity in Heaven with the people she loved. Maxine was always happiest when she was serving others. She had a true servant's heart, and her home became a refuge for many families in need over the years—offering comfort, help, and hospitality right up until her final days.

Maxine had an independent spirit and was truly ahead of her time. She took on work that was often considered 'men's work'—fixing cars, doing repairs, building things—never afraid to get her hands dirty or figure something out on her own. Maxine was an overcomer who faced many losses and hardships with grace. She worked to thrive and to live a loving life without bitterness. She had a way of seeing the best in people and always tried to encourage those around her. Her strength was quiet but steady, and her love showed up in her words and actions.

Maxine was a member of the Lighthouse Free Methodist Church and attended most of her life. She passed into the presence of Jesus in the early morning hours of Thursday, March 20, 2025. She was 92 years old.

Additional Stories / Hobbies & Interests

As a child, Maxine's best friend was her dog, Buster, who would meet her at the mailbox every day when she got off the school bus. He was her constant companion, no matter where she went or what she was doing. She credited him with saving her life on more than one occasion. She had three favorite activities as a child and teenager; (1) Climbing the huge Maple tree in the front yard, all the way to the top, which would bring her mom out of the house to say, "Mac, get down out of that tree." She always obeyed, but before long she was up in the top of the tree, again. When asked, "Didn't you get in trouble?" she would laugh and say, "Mom never said not to climb it again." (2) Riding the farm horses; Doll, May, and Bill. Her dad always said she ruined them for plowing because they always wanted to run after Maxine had been riding them. She loved the excitement of running them, as fast as they could go, up and down the "lane" that ran across their farm to the next road over. (3) Reading (at times all night long if it was an especially good book). This was a lifelong favorite activity. When she was young it was mostly westerns, which led to her love of the West and her eventual move to Arizona at the age of 24. She attributed her love of the West to Zane Grey, her favorite western author. Later in life she liked to read, primarily, "Christian" romance and adventure. Occasional Zane Grey books were still thrown into the mix.

As a teenager photography became an avid interest. This continued through the years her family grew, generation after generation. She also enjoyed sewing for her family and growing a large vegetable garden each year.

As an older adult her favorite activities and hobbies were gardening (usually built around a goldfish pond), watching the birds in her "pond garden," doing jigsaw puzzles, and, as always, reading.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, 11:00 A.M. at Barryton Lighthouse Free Methodist Church. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 28, 2025, from 5-8:00 P.M. at Daggett Gilbert Funeral Homes, Barryton. She will be laid to rest at Brown Cemetery, Barryton. To leave a memory or share a condolence, please visit, www.daggettfuneral.com