Obituary
Mrs. Maxine Elizabeth Roembke, a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully in Indianapolis on the morning of Sunday, November 10, 2024. She was 98 years old. Maxine was born on September 18, 1926, in Martinsville, Indiana, to the late Lynn Wood Oaks and Mary Jane Ledbetter Oaks.
Maxine was a graduate of Ben Davis High School and spent her adult life dedicated to her faith, family and friends. A devout member of Our Lady of the Greenwood Catholic Church, she served in the Altar Guild and was a charter member of the Daughters of Isabella.
Maxine led a life defined by her independent spirit and strong will. She had a zest for life, enjoying the thrill of gambling with frequent trips to Las Vegas and local casinos. Known for her competitiveness, she approached every card game with skill and tenacity, taking no prisoners at
the table. Beyond her love of games, Maxine enjoyed reading, traveling and listening to Big Band music of the 1940’s, immersing herself in the sounds and stories that brought her joy.
As a stay-at-home mother, Maxine devoted her time to raising her family and later became the family babysitter, caring for her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even a great-great-grandchild with boundless love. Later in life, she had a career in nursing home management.
Her legacy lives on through her children, Ronnie (Joyce) Roembke, Mary (Dave) Heger, Debbie (John) Laughman and Craig (Kathy) Roembke; her five grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by the father of her children, Herbert Roembke; her daughter, Lesley Maple (Danny) as well as several siblings.
A prayer service will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at Forest Lawn Funeral Home in Greenwood. The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM until the time of service. Maxine will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
For those choosing to make a memorial contribution, the family requests that those be offered to the St. Elizabeth Coleman Adoption Center, in honor of Maxine’s lifelong commitment to family and community.