Maxine Joy (Dinning) Ott

Maxine Joy (Dinning) Ott, 92, of Stoystown entered into the presence of her Savior on July 20, 2020 at home surrounded by her family.  Maxine was born May 21, 1928 in Kantner, daughter of the late Raymond and Leola (Croyle) Dinning, Sr. of Stoystown. She was preceded in death by her adoring husband, Paul, with whom she celebrated 70 years of marriage on November 14, 2015.  She also was preceded in death by her brother, Ray Dinning, Jr., sister, Judith (Dinning) Littlejohn, grandson, Brent Ott, and father and mother-in-law, Clarence and Stella (Buchanan) Ott. As the touchstone of her family, Maxine built a foundation of salvation, faith, and tradition for her 8 children, Greg and wife, Karen (Baltzer) Ott, Palmyra; Rick and wife, Yvonne (Pelesky) Ott, Boswell; Vicky and husband, Mike Stackhouse, Richland; Patty and husband, Rick Pyle, Stoystown; Brad and wife, Lorraine (Geiyer) Ott, Gray; Mike Ott, Stoystown; Missy and husband, Mike Zborovancik, Stoystown; and Alyson and husband, Jason Kaminsky, Richland; her 17 grandchildren, Chad Ott, Karen Kozlosky, Corrie Sager, Derek Ott, Matt and Tim Lohr, Kate Turner, Jill Cirelli, Bethany Smithmyer, Bradon Pyle, Kirsten Zimmerman, Kelsey Duray, Tyler and Bryan Zborovancik, and Cameron, Sadie, and Ethan Kaminsky; and her 25 great-grandchildren.  She also is survived by her siblings, David (Nancy) Dinning and Alan (Judy) Dinning, her brother-in-law, Ronald Littlejohn, her sweet furry protector, Molly, her lifelong kindred spirits, Joan Zimmerman and Elaine McVicker, dear friend, Joy Zimmerman, and her many other cherished friends and family members.  Apart from her own children, Maxine was called a second mom by so many others. In 1944, Maxine graduated at the age of 16 from Stoystown High School.  While she had several jobs, raising her family was the main career of her life which she lovingly, selflessly, and successfully accomplished.  She was an active member of the Kantner United Methodist Church where she was a Sunday School teacher, Chairperson of the Good Samaritan Fund and was a member of the church choir, the Sunshine Bible Class, and the Intercessory Prayer Group. Maxine also had a great affection for her community, serving through the years as a Boy Scout Den Mother, Girl Scout Leader, Inspector of Election Board, Charter Member of The Stoyestown Historical Society, member of the Stoystown Lioness Club, and Meals on Wheels Volunteer. In God’s calling for her life, Maxine had a servant’s heart.  She graciously shouldered the burdens of others by never denying unconditional love for those who needed her.  She was self-sacrificing often to her own detriment.  Her life was a true testament of what a life of a true believer of God looks like.  She also had an uncanny wit and was exceptionally intelligent, courageous, and charismatic.  No one who met Maxine was left unchanged. The family would like to thank her devoted caretakers, Kellie Miller and Virginia Walker, and Jan and Peggy from Windber Hospice. A socially-distanced public viewing will be held at the Christian Community Church, 2610 Lincoln Hwy., Stoystown, PA 15563, on Thursday from 2 to 6 p.m.  As per state mandates, all who attend the public viewing are required to wear masks.  A private funeral service for the immediate family will be held on Friday. Her cousin, Penny Tucci officiating. Funeral service will be broadcast live on Deaner Funeral Homes Facebook page at 11 a.m. Friday. Interment Odd Fellows Cemetery, Stoystown.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Maxine to Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607. “With His blood, He has saved me. With His power, He has raised me. To God be the glory, For the things He has done.” Arrangements entrusted to Deaner Funeral Home, Stoystown. Condolences may be offered at DeanerFuneralsAndCremations.com.