Obituary of Maxine Faye Rea

Maxine Faye Rea, 94, of Atalissa, Iowa, formerly of Gladwin, Michigan passed away on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at The Bird House hospice home in Iowa City.  The Geo. M. Wittich-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services is caring for Maxine’s arrangements.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lewisfuneralhomes.com.

Maxine was born on January 24, 1923 in Beaverton, Michigan, the daughter of Thomas Theodore and Hazel Naomi (Smith) Rise.  Maxine married Wellington “Duke” Johnson in 1940.  They had two daughters, Wanda Lou and Shirley Kaye.  She later married Clarence Seipke in Gladwin, Michigan.  At the age of 77, Maxine married her childhood friend, Charles Rea in Midland, Michigan.

Maxine was a hard worker.  At age 14 she started working as a family nanny and also worked at Holley Carburetor for 22 years.  When not busy with work, Maxine enjoyed crocheting, vacationing in Canada, gardening, camping and spending time with her loved ones.  Maxine was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1973.  She truly enjoyed sharing in the ministry work and had the privilege of studying the Bible with many who are now her spiritual brothers and sisters.

Maxine will be deeply missed by her daughter, Shirley Taylor of Atalissa, and her children Susan (Marvin) Honts of Muscatine, IA and their daughters, Stephanie and Melanie; Cindy (Tom) Brown of Atalissa and their children, Jessica (Eli) Wallace (Ivy and Henry), Shawn (Eric) Fleming (Koen), Zachary (Tammy) Brown (Sienna, Corbyn, Chase and Canyon), and Kimberlee (Landon) Branchini; Sandra (Mitch) Veen of Houghton Lake, MI and their children, Anthony (Donita) Burgess (Izzy, Bella, Addison, Chloe and Zoe), Alex Burgess, and Nicole Veen (Elijah, Audrey and Lina); Daniel (Le Lee) Messner of Wynne, AR and their children Daniel Jr., William, and Mia; son-in-law, Bill (Chris) Bailey of Clare, MI and his children Michael Bailey of Farwell, MI and his daughter, Cheyanne; Tony Bailey of Farwell and his children, Brandon (Angel) Bailey, Breanna Wood, Stacy Bailey (Ezra), and Janessa Bailey; Karen Bailey of St. James, MO and her children, Josh, Caleb, and Katelynn; Jeff (Lisa) Bailey of Farwell; step-children, Janice (Tim) Ferrell of Gladwin, and their children Timothy (Sophy) Ferrell and their son Michael, and Matt Ferrell; Debbie (Howard) Fry of Harrison, MI; Larry (Terri) Rea of Ada, MI, and David (Allison) Rea of Farwell.

Maxine was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; her daughter, Wanda Bailey; brothers, Charles Rise, Donald (Shirley) Rise; sisters, Ilene (Jim) Brown, Wanda (John) Malosh, Ola Barber; and son-in-law, Lester Taylor.