Maxine D. Cory

Maxine D. Cory, 100, of Lafayette, passed away on Friday, May 24, 2024 at Aster Place in Lafayette.  She passed peacefully with family nearby.

She was born on February 15, 1924 in Cass County to the late Berton and Rosa (Meade) Myers. On June 28, 1942 she married Robert McDowell in Onward.  He preceded her in death in July, 1966.  On July 10, 1982, she married Carlton Cory in Burlington.  He preceded her in death in February, 2009.

Maxine grew up on a farm with seven brothers and sisters, before electricity and indoor plumbing.  She was the daughter of a genuine "covered wagon pioneer".  She lived through the Great Depression, a world war, the loss of two husbands, three children, all of her siblings, a grandchild and a great grandchild.  She was one of the first generation of American working women, learning to run a lathe in a machine shop during World War II, and then working at the Delco factory in Kokomo for over 30 years.

She was a 1942 graduate of Wolcott High School.  Along the way, she raised the first generation of college educated McDowells, mostly alone as her husband had died when the youngest child was only three.

She was a member of the Burlington United Methodist Church, Monticello United Methodist Church, Burlington library and UAW #292.  She enjoyed sewing, reading and puzzles

She will be remembered as a kind and generous matriarch, who kept an extended family united over thousands of miles and many decades.  She will also be remembered for her great sense of humor, and frequent laughter.

She lived independently past her 100th birthday, still hosting weekly card games and meals for her surviving three children and their spouses.

She is survived by two sons, Michael (Karen) McDowell of Monticello, David McDowell (companion, Vivian Reeves) of Monticello; one daughter, Janet (Carl) Breedlove of Kokomo; daughter-in-law, Vicky McDowell of Edmond, OK, son-in-law, Scott Sisson of Flora; grandchildren, Adam, Kelly, Michael, Michele, Tina, Brian, Aaron, Andrew, Kimberly: great grandchildren, Hunter, Molly, Casey, Cory, Heather, Kristen, Nicole, Megan, Kassie, Erick, Annie, Zoe, Jeremy, Kemper, Olivia, Shiloh, Brynn, Elle; great-great grandchildren, Jackson, Karsen, Mason, Kenedy, Henry, Callie.

She was also preceded in death by her first husband , Robert  McDowell, second husband, Carlton Cory; children, John McDowell, Terence McDowell, Jennifer Sisson; sisters, Edith  Morganseng, Pauline Brown and Gladys Pernar, brothers, Walter Myers, Herman Myers, Paul Myers, Glenn Myers; grandson, Sean; great grandson, Alexander.

Funeral services will be at Sunday, July 21, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Monticello United Methodist Church with Rev. Brian Beeks officiating.

Burial will be Monday, July 22 in Maple Lawn Cemetery at 10:30 am.

Memorial contributions may be given to Foundation Fighting Blindness. Envelopes will be available at the church or online at www.fightingblindness.org

Friends and family are encouraged to share a photo, a memory, or messages of condolence at www.springervoorhisdraper.com