Maxine Martin Heidler

Maxine Martin Heidler of Shippenville died on Thursday, November 13th, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 80 years old.
Max, born in Sewickley, PA, was the youngest child of Stella and Moxie Martin and grew up in Shadyside, Ohio. She graduated from Shadyside High School in 1963 and from Ohio University in 1966, earning a Bachelor's degree in Education. Max subsequently spent 14 years teaching kindergarten and first grade in the California State School System at Scandia Elementary School on Travis Air Force Base near Fairfield, CA. There, she married Clare D. Heidler III in 1981 and became an Air Force wife. They lived in Burke, VA while Clare was stationed at the Pentagon and at Altus Air Force Base, OK, before Clare's retirement and relocation to Shippenville in 1990 as Clare became PennWest Clarion University's Director of Facilities Planning.
Max had one child, Ashley, who presently resides in Conshohocken, PA. She also had an extremely close and loving relationship with Dutch, Chris, and Beth, Clare's children by a previous marriage.
During the 35 years she lived in Shippenville, two generations of students experienced Max's creativity, organization, and her love of teaching. At various times, she served as a substitute teacher at Clarion Elementary School, Clarion High School, and St. Michael's School in Fryburg, eventually becoming principal there. Max had a unique ability to impart empathy, enthusiasm, and encouragement to all of her students over her entire teaching career. Above all, she was an example of strength, faith, and kindness. She loved her work and the communities she served.
In her earlier years, Max was an accomplished racquetball player and also enjoyed recreational flying as a licensed pilot. She was always an avid reader, loved the beach, enjoyed gardening, and more recently enjoyed her weekly sessions with the "Mahjong Mavens".
Max will be missed by her loving family: husband Clare and their daughter Ashley; Ashley's intended, Stephen John; Clare's two sons, Dutch and Chris; and daughter Beth. They will mourn her passing along with Max's sister-in-law, Esther; nephew Michael and his wife, Gayle; niece Kimberly Martin Ross and her husband, Kyp, as well as the children of these nieces and nephews. Max is preceded in death by her mother, father, older brother Robert, and her constant companion, Brutus, a puggle who was with her for 17 years.
In keeping with Max's wishes, no services will be held, apart from a private family memorial service. Goble Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with cremation arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the ASPCA online at www.ASPCA.org or St Jude Children's Hospital online at www.stjude.org. Online condolences can be sent to the family by visiting www.goblefh.net.