Search by Name

Search by Name

FUNERAL HOME

Chandler Funeral Homes & Crematory - Wilmington

2506 Concord Pike

Wilmington, Delaware

Henry Maxwell Obituary

Henry L. Maxwell, Sr.

AGE: 88 • Glen Mills, PA

Henry Lineinger Maxwell Sr., age 88, of Glen Mills, PA ,formerly of Wilmington, passed into the hands of our Lord Jesus Christ on December 23, 2013 at Riddle Memorial Hospital, Media PA. Henry ("Hank") was born and raised in Claymont and was proud to call himself a Delawarean until he moved to Maris Grove Retirement Community in 2012. Hank graduated from Claymont High School in 1942 and from the University of Delaware in 1949, after which he went on to a successful 32 year career with the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), and eventually became the Deputy Director of the once sizeable FHA Wilmington regional office. Henry met his loving wife Arpine Semerjian at FHA and they were married in 1952 at the Valley Forge Memorial Chapel, a place they frequently visited on their anniversary.

Henry was a caring and devoted husband and father who along with his wife raised three sons - Dr. Henry L. Maxwell Jr., a retired surgeon, David H. Maxwell, retired senior executive vice president at MBNA, and James J. Maxwell, attorney and Family Court Commissioner. After marrying, Hank and Arpie moved to Fairfax, and in 1968 to Chalfonte. Both locations provided a wonderful environment to raise their children, where they met many lifelong friends. Family, relatives, friends and neighbors came to know Hank and Arpie 's home as a special place of uncommon warmth and welcome. Over the years, Hank and Arpie frequently had friends and relatives stay at their residence to help them through life. Henry was a lifelong, active member of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Claymont, Delaware where he served as senior warden and on the vestry many times. Over the years he also volunteered for Meals on Wheels and numerous other outreach activities associated with the Church of Ascension.

Henry's legacy is his positive, steady, and firm influence on the four generations with whom he interacted. Quietly and unassumingly, he taught those around him the value of love, unwavering good moral character, and integrity. Henry was always there for his children, relatives and friends, and for his children's friends. Later in life, as Granddad, he had the same influence on his grandchildren and their friends. He was truly loved by all generations. Henry celebrated life by recording through an estimated 25,000 photographs the special and ordinary occurrences of life and by copying and distributing his photos to any person who was the subject of them.

Henry is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Arpine Maxwell, son, Dr. Henry L. Maxwell Jr. and his wife Dr. Marie Spagnoli, of Gettysburg, PA, grandchildren Christine and Lindsey Maxwell; son David H. Maxwell of Rockport, ME and his wife Lori, grandchildren Annah and Rosalie; son James J. Maxwell and his wife Wendy, grandchildren Sean, Ashley, Wes and Conner; by his cousins, and by many nieces and nephews, including Jeanie Blaze, Hank Maxwell III, James Maxwell III, Karen McPhillips, Michael Semerjian, Mark Semerjian, "Aunt" Margie Semerjian, and all of their families.

Dad will be missed by his wife, family, relatives, friends, and by his community at Maris Grove, and by his special loving family at the Church of the Ascension, all of whom are comforted by knowing that Hank is with the Lord Jesus Christ, and that he has been reunited with his father (James Sr.), his mother (Edna), and his brother (James Jr.).

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday January 4, 2014 at 12 noon at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 3717 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, Delaware, 19703, followed by a reception in the church parish hall. Friends and family may call on Monday December 30, 2013 from 5-7 p.m. at the CHANDLER FUNERAL HOME, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to either the Church of the Ascension Memorial Fund at 3717 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE 19703 or to the Maris Grove Benevolent Resident Care Fund at Maris Grove Philanthropy, 200 Maris Grove Way, Glen Mills, Pa 19342.

CHANDLER FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY

chandlerfuneralhome.com

302-478-7100

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News Journal from Dec. 27 to Dec. 30, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Henry Maxwell

Not sure what to say?





January 5, 2014

Dale, Chris,Nancy, Mahlon,Karen, Randy and Sue,

Thank you for the very thoughtful messages about my Dad.Love and Best Wishes to you all,

Jim Maxwell

Dale Gregore

January 4, 2014

A more gracious man we may never meet. Hank's smile and kind nature always welcomed folks at Ascension. His love of Arpie and his boys so visibly deep. I cherish one of his photos of my kids as a favorite. A keen eye. A gentle soul. I wish all of his family & friends peace.

Chris Lowry

December 28, 2013

My condolences to the Maxwell family. It was neighbors like Mr. Maxwell and the Maxwell family that made growing up in Chalfonte a special place.

Nancy Gise

December 28, 2013

We were fortunate enough to have both Hank and Arpie as neighbors for 14 years. Our family remembers Hank as a wonderful man - a grandfatherly gentleman to our two boys. May God bless your family in this difficult time and may you be comforted by many joyful memories.

December 27, 2013

Uncle Hank will live in our hearts (and his pictures) forever!
Love always, Karen

Randall Huber

December 27, 2013

We are saddened to read the passing of such a fine gentleman. May "Uncle" Hank rest in peace.
We pray that all of your family will receive strength and peace from God to keep putting one foot in front of the other during these most difficult times.
May smiles come to your faces whenever his name is mentioned and when memories of him pop up in your minds!

With our sincere condolences,
Randy & Sue Huber

Mahlon Graves

December 26, 2013

I remember Mr. Maxwell as being a very nice man, who has a very nice wife and family.

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results

Make a Donation
in Henry Maxwell's name

Memorial Events
for Henry Maxwell

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Chandler Funeral Homes & Crematory - Wilmington

2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803

How to support Henry's loved ones
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Poems of Mourning and Comfort

The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief

Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
Ways to honor Henry Maxwell's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more