Memory of John Maxwell honored
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

County Commissioners proclaimed Wednesday, July 27, John V. Maxwell Day at the Ripley County 4-H Fair.

Stage entertainment began with gospel music, which was fitting to a man who was known for his love of songs of the church.

Maxwell was also known for his love of 4-H, and had been a long time 4-H leader. He served as a former county extension agent through Purdue University, and held that same capacity in two other counties, Decatur and Morgan.

"I just started crying, it really touched me," noted Mary Ortiz, Maxwell's daughter, when she was told about the plans for a day to honor her father. She had flown in from Kansas to be at the special event Wednesday night. She was tearful, yet thankful for the commemoration of her father's life and grateful to see how he was being remembered. She noted that he loved children, the 4-H fair and gospel music so much, making exactly what was taking place a 'real' memory for her and her family.

Commissioner Chuck Folz emceed the event with Don Wood opening with the pledge to the American flag and "God Bless America." "This day is dedicated to a super man, if he was here, he'd be singing," noted Folz.

A poem, written by Barbara Folz, noted of Maxwell, "...he was a man of the land and a man of the word."

Maxwell was very active in the
Gideon organization, a group that has been active for years in getting Bibles in the hands of thousands of people in the world.

Having died February 8, of this year, Folz noted that his friend, John,
was at the fair last year, standing over by the Gideon's booth. "He'll always be standing there in my mind," he told the crowd.

Family members of Maxwell's who were able to be at the special stage event included his daughter Mary Ortiz and daughters, Carmen and Olivia; son, Jon, and daughters Kara and Eileen. His wife, Ruth, was unable to attend, due to medical complications. Also Mary's two sons, Thomas and Jonathan and her husband, Gary, were not able to attend. Jon's wife, Denise and daughter Alissa were not in attendance as well as Maxwell's oldest daughter and husband, Janet and Craig Roseland of Laurel, MD.

Paul Anderson with Farm Bureau presented a dozen red roses to Mrs. Ortiz, in honor of Maxwell, who was a member and staunch supporter of the organization. As a close friend of his, Anderson said of him, "he always lifted people up."

Commissioner Robert Reiners addressed the crowd saying of Maxwell, "I considered him a friend. He dedicated many hours to Ripley
County's youth. He loved to sing patriotic songs and was faithful to God and family."

Maxwell was a man who could dish out a joke and also take one. Young people loved him because he was fun to pull a prank on. Memories of him included the time some youngsters (not identified of course) jacked up his rear axle on his truck and when he got in to drive away, his wheels were spinning but he was going nowhere. They also told things about Maxwell, such as the time the kids ran his shorts to the top of the flagpole and what about the time he was singing and enjoying the music so much his chair collapsed!

Memories of Maxwell were enjoyed as people could almost feel his presence through laughter, music, and conversation.

Known for raising sheep at his property in Elrod, it was noted the "gentle shepherd" will be missed by the many lives he touched.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO

Pictured are members of John Maxwell's family, son Jon and daughters Kara and Eileen Maxwell; daughter Mary Ortiz (talking with a friend of her father's, Thelma Schmaltz), and her daughters Carmen and Olivia Ortiz. The family enjoyed the John Maxwell Day at the Ripley County Fair last Wednesday.