Maxine Elaine Vanzile

Maxine Elaine (Sherman) Van Zile, age 74, of Horn Harbor, New Point, Virginia passed away unexpectedly on Friday, April 6, 2018. Maxine was born on August 27, 1943, wife of Byron E. Van Zile, Jr, daughter of Hazel M. Hart of Lansing, NY and the late Richard H. Sherman; mother of four, grandmother of 10, great-grandmother of 5. She attended Lansing High School. Maxine was employed in many fields including Tompkins County Sheriff’s Dept., Dryden Police Dept., Carousel, Tompkins County Home Health Care. Maxine’s favorite was Country Ceramics which she owned and operated until she retired in 1999 when Mom and Dad moved to New Point VA.

Maxine was a truly special woman, always a shining light. She touched the hearts of those who knew her. She had a giving soul and a love for life. She loved knitting, crocheting, crafting and cooking and showered her family with her gifts. She especially enjoyed TV time with Sarge. They never missed a NASCAR race. She enjoyed reading books & on her kindle from romance, history, Native American Indians to birds. She had a talented green thumb for plants and flowers. She was a Volunteer EMT-Firefighter for Etna Fire Department. She had a strong belief in our right to vote, from 1975-1999 she worked as a registrar for Tompkins County Board of Elections.

Maxine is survived by her dearly beloved husband of 56 years, Byron E. Van Zile, Jr; a loving mother to Sherl E. (Jeffrey) Walters, Tina M. (Van Zile) Petruska, Kathy J. (Eric) Hart, and Terri L. Phillips. A devoted grandmother to Jessica (Cole) Thomas, Scott Walters (Nikki Hines), Nathaniel (Melissa) Petruska, Jacob Petruska, Mikayla Hart, Bailey Phillips, Calvin (Kristina) Petruska, Bristol Phillips, Brianna Hart, and Jennica Hart. She was a cherished great grandmother to Alyssa Thomas, Kaleigh Thomas, Nathan Thomas, Isabel Thomas, and Brooke Petruska. The adored daughter of Hazel Hart, dear sister to Roger (Diane) Sherman, Patricia (Daniel) Card, Connie Sherman, Debra (George) Figures, Betty (Scott) Dean and many nephews, nieces and her precious dog, Bandit.
Maxine was predeceased in death by her father, Richard “Dick” Sherman; brother, Richard “Ricky” Sherman Jr.; and son-in-law Detective Michael “Mike” Phillips.

The Van Zile family will receive family & friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday April 13th at Perkins Funeral Home, 55 West Main Street, Dryden, New York. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday April 14th, 2018. Burial will follow in Willow Glen Cemetery. A Celebration of her life will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, Maxine asks that donations be made in her memory to Etna Fire Dept. at 26 Wood Rd, Freeville, NY 13068.