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Gary Lynn Maxam, went to be with the Lord on August 24, 2024.

Gary Lynn Maxam was born into the Harlen and Ruth Maxam family on June 25, 1957, where he lived his entire life. Graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University, Gary worked in an engineering capacity at several businesses including Bendix in South Bend, Armstrong in Three Rivers, and PRO-Tech Respirators in Buchanan.

Gary eventually owned and ran the popular Stop-In Restaurant on Barron Lake in Niles, and later he worked for years at Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo, MI.

Gary lived a gentle and fulfilling life while continually farming and helping to raise two sons of his devoted friend and housemate Stacy Kempton. He became a steadfast father to the beloved Cooper and Casey (currently serving in the US Navy).

Surviving family includes brothers and sisters Garth (Barb), Sue, Gwen, Keith (Linda), Dwayne (Molly), a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and loving friends, especially Tom Rosselit and Char Grodi Molnar.

With a pleasantly adventurous spirit, Gary traveled with siblings/friend on outings, including snow skiing out west, sailing in the Caribbean and Lake Michigan, and water skiing at the Maxam family cottage on Long Lake near Three Rivers. In later years, Gary befriended a great number of the farm’s resident cats, being literally blanketed with cats during his Hospice time at the Maxam farm, his favorite place of all.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are welcome by The Paws Cause Rescue (a cat rescue operated by family siblings) at 230 Johnsville Brookville Rd, Brookfield, Ohio 45309 or the Goshen Center for Cancer Care at 200 High Park Ave, Goshen, IN 46526 or Hospice of West Michigan in Gary’s name.

A memorial Service will be held on October 3, 2024, at 2 p.m., at Smith’s Chapel, 29858 Redfield St, Niles, MI, where Gary and the Maxam children went to Sunday School and vacation Bible School as children.